




Contents 


I. 

Off to the Woods 





9 

II. 

Making the Packs 





25 

III. 

The Carry 





39 

IV. 

Making Camp . 





55 

V. 

Wind and Water 





7 ^ 

VI. 

Down the Creek 





85 

VII. 

“ Here We Are ” 





100 

VIII. 

Benson in Trouble 





114 

IX. 

Out of the Woods 





130 

X. 

Moose ! 





144 

XI. 

Foster Fills Up 





158 

XII. 

The Lost Trail 





173 

XIII. 

The Big Lake . 





187 

XIV. 

The “ First Call ” 





* 203 

XV. 

Looking Them Over 




221 

XVI. 

“ Half a Million ” 





239 

XVII. 

A Disappointment 





255 

XVIII. 

Secret Practice 





272 

XIX. 

“4-26-81-9” . 





285 

XX. 

Trelawney's Car 





304 

XXL 

The Soreheads . 





321 

XXII. 

The Test . 





341 

XXIII. 

“ It’s All Right ” 





358 


5 



Illustrations 


An Hour of Pure Pleasure . 

“ I Can’t Make It Any Further ” 
“ Here’s a Sand-bank ” . 

He Looked Immense 

‘‘ Now Do What I Tell You ” 

He Succeeded in Touching It 
He Looked Anxiously at the Flags 


Frontispiece 


49 


93 

149 ' 


227'/ 
280 ^ 

337 


A Graduate Coach 


7 




A Graduate Coach 


CHAPTER I 

OFF TO THE WOODS 

** When do you leave ? ” 

** Next week. Will you come? ** 

** I can’t, Bob.” Trelawney’s tone was re- 
gretful, and he mopped his brow with his 
handkerchief. I’d give a good deal to get 
out of this heat, but I am not my own master. 
No vacation for me this summer 1 ” 

Bob Walters looked round the office. 
Through the open door he could see the hur- 
rying messengers incidental to a big stock 
broker’s office, and realized the force of Tre- 
lawney’s remark. 

“ You see. Bob,” the latter continued, ** I’ve 
been here only six weeks. It was a big chance 
to get in with this firm, and I can’t go to the 


A GRADUATE COACH 


boss now and tell him I want to go camping 
for three weeks. It wouldn’t do I ” 

No, I suppose not. I’m mighty sorry, 
though. I had rather counted on you.” 

“ Who is going with you ? ” 

“ Macklin, Benson and Foster.’ 

Oh, I see ; duty before pleasure. A pre- 
liminary training trip.” 

“That’s about it. I was going camping 
anyway, and thought I’d get the others in 
condition at the same time. Benson and 
Foster are both after your old place at left 
guard, and I want to try them out. I asked 
Captain Macklin so we could lay out the 
plans for the season.” 

“ Make ’em sweat. Bob,” said Trelawney, 
with a grin, as he got down from the desk 
where he had been sitting. “ Well, I must 
get back to work. Good luck to you ” 

“ So long, Trel. I suppose I’ll see you on 
the eighteenth ? ” 

“ Sure. I’ll be there for the opening of col- 
lege. You can bet on that.” 

Bob hurried along the street as fast as the 
broiling weather conditions permitted. He 

lO 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


had many things to buy in the short time 
left at his disposal. 

His determination to take his three friends 
with him was of recent birth, and he had 
promised to superintend the matter of camp- 
ing outfits. His own was not large enough 
for such a party. 

The dark coolness of the outfitter's was 
grateful and with an attentive clerk before 
him he settled himself in a chair, catalogue 
in hand, and stated his wants. An hour of 
pure pleasure followed. To the lover of the 
woods, there is no delight equal to that of 
selecting the flies, leaders, lines and the count- 
less other necessities which he who leaves 
civilization behind must equip himself with. 
Pots and pans Bob selected with care. Here 
weight was an important factor, for it is 
only the tyro who ladens his muscles with 
an ounce more than absolutely necessary. 

At length the pleasant task was completed, 
and Bob strode homeward, the heat of the 
day forgotten in the cool odor of the forest 
which to his eager imagination seemed al- 
ready to surround him. 

11 


A GRADUATE COACH 

Four days later he stood waiting for his 
friends at the station in New York. 

The Montreal Express purred on the track 
at his back. An appreciative porter sur- 
rounded by luggage waited at his side. Bob 
kept one eye on the clock while the other 
roved anxiously up and down the platform. 
His face brightened a hundred times as an 
apparently familiar figure came in sight, and 
a hundred times dulled to despondency as on 
near approach the figure lost its resemblance. 

Time’s nearly up, sah,” said the porter at 
last. Shall I go aboard ? 

Yes. Put the things in my section. 
Car B. Sections eight and ten,” said Bob, 
referring to his tickets. I’ll meet you 
there.” 

He turned to watch the porter struggling 
down the platform with the bags. 

Hello, Bob, here we are I ” the voice he 
had been waiting for rang in his ears, and he 
turned to greet the beaming countenance of 
Macklin. 

Hello, Mack. You are none too soon. 
Where are the others ? ” 


12 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


“ Coming along. Our taxi threw a fit 
coming down Forty-second Street, and we had 
to make a change. They are paying off the 
vulture now.^^ 

“ Here they come. Get a wiggle on you, 
Benson, called Bob, and after a hurried 
greeting the four pushed through the gate. 

The porter standing faithful guard over 
Bob's luggage was sent away smiling with a 
generous tip, and as the train pulled out the 
four settled themselves back to enjoy their 
trip from the start. 

Well, what are your plans. Bob?" asked 
Macklin, as the train cleared the last tunnel 
and settled into its stride for the long run 
up the Hudson. “ Going to show us some 
sport ? " 

^*Work, principally," returned Bob. “This 
trip isn't going to be child's play. I intend 
to get you into condition." 

“ Where are we going, exactly ? " 

“ I’ll tell you. We reach Montreal in the 
morning. We have five hours before the 
other train leaves, and I'm going to lay in 
our supply of food. I have the list here, and 


A GRADUATE COACH 


we can have it shipped with us. We reach 
St. Pierre at six. Spend the evening making 
up our packs. Get into our camp clothes 
the next morning, leaving our other things 
at the hotel. Load the canoes on the wagon. 
Drive fifteen miles, over the most villainous 
road you ever saw, to the river. Sleep in a 
hunter^s cabin that night, and the next morn- 
ing we’re off I How does that sound ? ” 

Fine ! ” the answer came simultaneously 
from his eager hearers. “ What next ? ” 

** Well, we paddle down the river about five 
miles, and then comes the real work — a half- 
mile carry.” 

That won’t be so hard,” said Foster. 

“ Won’t it ? ” Bob smiled. He remembered 
his eagerness when he was a novice to the 
fatigue of the headstrap. 

** You see,” he went on, we will have two 
canoes. One man to each, and two packs. 
Now as all our food, cooking kit, clothes, and 
tents have to go in those packs, they will 
weigh pretty close to a hundred pounds 
apiece. Macklin has been introduced to the 
job already, but you two will find it mighty 
H 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


hard work the first few days, and you won^t 
find it easy at any time. In fact, after three 
weeks’ wrestling with a pack you’ll think any- 
thing Essex can send against you easy.” 

The others laughed. 

“ What do the canoes weigh ? ” asked 
Foster. 

About sixty pounds, dry. But when they 
get wet and have the rifles tied in them it will 
be nearer eighty.” 

“ Phew ! ” This from Benson. 

“ Oh, it’s not so bad,” said Bob. It is 
hard work, of course, but it will put us all in 
fine trim, and the fun of the life more than 
makes up for the work. You’ll like it.” He 
stood up and yawned. Who’s for bed ? It’s 
eleven now, and we get in at six thirty. We 
may as well get some sleep.” 

The next morning, after a hurried breakfast 
in the station. Bob completed his arrange- 
ments, and in his anxiety to make sure of 
their arrival on time, followed the pro- 
visions to the train and saw them safely put 
aboard. 

Their route that afternoon lay through 

15 


A GRADUATE COACH 


rolling country. The hills stretched to the 
horizon on each side of the track, covered with 
a thick growth of spruce and hemlock, their 
dark green lightened here and there by tracts 
of hardwood and the silvery gleam of birch. 

The villages nestled close to the railroad. 
Collections of white frame cottages surround- 
ing the inevitable church and running off on 
the outskirts to greet the green fingers of the 
forests which stretched menacingly toward 
the huddled houses, as if to reclaim the lush 
pastures which the hardy habitant had wrested 
from their grasp. 

From time to time the train stopped at 
some small station, and fat, comfortable-look- 
ing peasant women, some with white aprons 
and caps, would fill their car, only to descend 
again a few miles further on. Brawny farmers, 
dressed in their best homespun, filled the 
smoking-car, and their queer patois amused 
the ears of the three travelers whose knowl- 
edge of French had been confined to uni- 
versity class rooms. Bob, from his greater 
knowledge of the language and his previous 
experience with the French-Canadian, was 

i6 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


not so much at a loss, but even he had difficul- 
ties in following when a gentle-faced priest 
endeavored to draw him into conversation. 

At length the new sights had begun to pall, 
and Bob glanced out of the window. 

“ Nearly there now, fellows,” he exclaimed 
with a note of excitement in his voice. The 
next station is ours.” 

‘‘Good I” said Macklin with a breath of 
satisfaction. “ My legs are beginning to get 
cramped.” 

Leaving the others to collect the hand- 
baggage, Bob went forward to the baggage-car 
to superintend the unloading of the heavier 
pieces. A shrill whistle from the engine 
greeted him as he entered, and before he had 
pointed out the various articles to the baggage- 
man he felt the train slacken its speed. 

First a house, here and there, came to view, 
then a wide, muddy road, peopled by two dogs 
and a chicken; then more houses, with a 
pretty girl leaning over one fence waving her 
hand ; then simultaneously with the grinding 
of brakes, the platform and a diminutive 
station. 


17 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Bob jumped down as the train halted and 
lent a hand with the bundles. 

The platform was crowded with the usual 
gathering of villagers, to whom the arrival of 
the one train daily was an event of supreme 
importance. 

Macklin and the others pushed their way to 
a bench and stood guard over their possessions, 
the crowd staring at them. 

** Lend me a hand, Mack,^^ called Bob. ** We 
want to get these things over to the hotel at 
once.” 

There was no wagon in sight, so the four 
loaded themselves with as much as they 
could, impressed a couple of youths into their 
service to look after the remainder, and 
trudged up the street to where the little 
white hotel swung its gaudy sign — ** Hotel St. 
Pierre.” 

‘‘Ah, Monsieur Walters, bonne chance,” 
exclaimed a ruddy, corpulent little man who 
rose at their approach from his seat in front 
of the door, and after shaking hands vigor- 
ously with Bob helped him to deposit his 
burdens in the hall. 


i8 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


Then, having been introduced to Bob's 
friends, he led the way up-stairs chatting 
vigorously all the time. 

These will do very nicely. Monsieur 
Duval," said Bob as he looked round the 
rooms provided. “ When can we have sup- 
per ? " 

The supper ? When you will ? " Their 
host consulted his watch. It lacks a quar- 
ter-hour of six. Six o'clock ? " 

“ First rate. Give us a lot to eat. We are 
as hungry as bears." 

A quick scrub removed some of the marks 
of travel and when Duval called up the stairs 
they were ready. 

I hope you have kept my canoes in good 
shape ? " remarked Bob to Duval, after his 
first hunger was appeased and he could find 
time to talk. 

But, yes. When I received your letter, I 
told Jean to take them down to the river. 
They have been in the water now for three, 
four days. I think monsieur will find them 
in good condition." 

** And the teams for to-morrow ? " 

19 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Ready, monsieur. Jean himself will 
drive you. And Pierre will conduct the 
canoes.^^ 

** Good I declared Bob rising from his 
seat. Let’s go down and take a look at the 
canoes.” 

The four strolled down the street of the 
little village, turned sharply to the right and 
descended a steep incline. 

At the foot lay a small river, curving 
through the pasture-land to lose itself eventu- 
ally in a cleft between two low-lying hills. 
In the other direction it broadened out into a 
large pond, some thirty acres in extent. On 
the further shore, close to where the river 
roared down a rapid, stood a sawmill. It 
had stopped for the day, but the huge pile of 
fresh sawdust indicated that it had not long 
been idle. 

A long boom of logs ran out at right angles 
to the shore, supported by a group of piling at 
its further end. The surface of the water 
within the boom was a close carpet of logs, 
heaving slowly up and down on the unquiet 
river. 


20 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


That is rather small lumber, isn't it?'' 
remarked Benson, whose imagination, fed by 
stories of lumber camps, had expected to see 
logs spanning three feet. 

Not for this country," returned Bob. 

Those logs will run eight to twelve inches at 
the butt. It's only spruce and hemlock, of 
course. All the pine was cut from this coun- 
try years ago. Even spruce is getting scarce. 
Where we are going you will find mostly hard- 
woods — maples, you know — and birches — lots 
of hemlock and spruce of course mixed in it, 
but very few forests of the latter.^ Hello there, 
Jean." Bob hurried down toward a figure 
standing at the water's edge, examining two 
canoes on the bank. 

Eh, Jean ! " he called. 

The man, a tall, sinewy French-Canadian, 
greeted him with a smile. Ah, Monsieur 
Bob I I am glad to see you." 

“ How are you, Jean ; well ? " 

Yes, monsieur." 

“ And Rose-Marie ? And little Jean ? " 

Yes, monsieur. Thank the good Lord." 
How are the canoes ? " 


21 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** All right, monsieur. This one has a small 
leak. I was about to mend it.^^ And he 
turned again to his task. 

The two canoes, of birch bark, lay side by 
side on the bank. Fourteen feet in length, 
broad in the beam, they nevertheless looked 
like frail craft in which to trust oneself to the 
wilderness. 

All four watched Jean at his work with in- 
terest. The canoe, turned bottom up, showed 
the rough seams where the bark had been 
sewed and resined. 

Near the bow, they could see where a bit of 
the resin had been knocked off. Jean started 
a small fire and put the gum pot on to melt. 
Then with a piece of flaming birch bark, he 
melted the gum already in place and thor- 
oughly dried the seam. Finally he poured a 
portion of the gum into the crack, moulded it 
with his fingers as it hardened, and declared 
the job complete. 

How is that gum ? asked Bob, testing it 
with his finger. 

Good, monsieur. The hot sun will just 
soften it.^^ 


22 


OFF TO THE WOODS 


** Not too hard, is it ? The water will be 
cold.'' 

No, monsieur. Just right." 

You see," explained Bob turning to the 
others, ** this stuff is made of resin and wax. 
If you get it too soft the heat of the sun will 
melt it, and if too hard the cold water renders 
it brittle and it will knock off. In either case 
you spring a leak." 

“ What do you do then ? " 

Paddle ashore, light your fire, and mend 
her j ust as you saw Jean do. It's very simple." 

“ Whattimewill you be starting, monsieur?" 
asked Jean. 

About nine, I think. That will give us 
lots of time, won't it ? " 

Oh, yes. Good-night, monsieur." 

They strolled slowly back to the hotel, and 
after talking a while with the proprietor. 
Bob made the move to go up. 

I'm just about ready for bed myself," ad- 
mitted Foster, preparing to follow. 

** No bed yet a while, Foster I " declared 
Bob. We have to go over all our duffle to- 
night — make up our minds what we can leave 

23 


A GRADUATE COACH 


behind and then rig up our packs. We won^t 
have time in the morning.’^ 

“ Will it take long ? asked Macklin. 

Oh, a couple of hours. 

Phew I ’’ said Foster. 


24 


CHAPTER II 


MAKING THE PACKS 

They found all their luggage piled in their 
rooms and under Bob’s directions started to 
unpack. The lid of the provision box was 
pried off and Bob arranged its contents in 
orderly array along the floor. 

** Hand me that bundle, will you, Tom ? ” 
he said, pointing to one he had taken out of 
his valise. The bundle, undone, proved to 
contain a number of water-proof bags of various 
sizes. 

What are those for ? ” asked Benson. 

To put the food in. You see they are 
waterproof, and easily carried. Great things. 
Hand me the flour bag.” 

Bob fllled two of his bags with flour. 
** There we are. Ten pounds in each. One 
for each pack. Next I ” 

The work of filling the bags went rapidly on. 
Corn-meal, dried apples, macaroni — each was 
put in its own bag, until the array of paper 

25 


A GRADUATE COACH 


bags and tin cans had been replaced by two 
rows of neat white bags ready for the packs. 

Check these things off this list, fellows, as 
I call them,^’ said Bob at last as he rose from 
the floor. 

Flour, twenty pounds.^^ 

“ Here,’^ said Benson, indicating the bags. 

“ Corn-meal, ten pounds.^^ 

Here.” 

You had better move each bag across the 
room as I call it,” said Bob. Macaroni, two 
pounds.” 

Here.” 

Coffee.” 

Here.” 

Tea.” 

Bob continued until every article was ac- 
counted for. Then he turned his attention to 
the personal kit. 

What have you brought, Tom ? ” he asked, 
turning to Benson. I want you all to re- 
member one thing before we go into this. 
Everything goes into two common packs, so 
we must each take about the same. That^s 
only fair.” 


26 


MAKING THE PACKS 


The others nodded agreement. 

All right, then. I have had the most ex- 
perience, so I’ll suggest what I think you 
should each take.” 

Fire ahead.” 

One extra shirt. One extra set under- 
clothes. Two pairs of socks. Tooth-brush. 
Comb, etc. Camp slippers.” 

How about a coat? ” asked Foster. 

Take it if you want to. But you’ll have 
to carry it yourself. I’m going to take only a 
sweater.” 

All right, Bob, you’re the boss,” agreed 
Foster looking regretfully at the pile of cloth- 
ing he had brought with him. It seems aw- 
ful slim rations to me, but I’ll stand by you.” 

You’ll be glad enough before you’ve 
walked half a mile,” said Bob. Now if you 
two will agree to turn out when I call you, 
I’ll let you go to bed. But it will leave us a 
lot to do in the morning.” 

I am sleepy — that’s a fact,” announced 
Benson. I think I’ll take your advice. 
Knock loud in the morning. I’m a heavy 
sleeper.” 

27 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** You look in pretty good shape, Frank, 
said Bob as he and Macklin slowly undressed 
when the others had left the room. ** What 
have you been doing this summer ? 

** I loafed for a couple of weeks after college 
closed, and then I fooled round a bit with a 
football and played tennis. I can’t afford to 
get fat. It takes me too long to get down 
again.” 

I wish Foster shared your sentiments,” 
said Bob reflectively as he sat on the side of 
the bed unlacing his shoes. ** He looks hog- 
fat to me.” 

He is a bit heavy,” agreed Macklin. 
** But this trip ought to take it off him.” 

“ That’s why he is here,” said Bob tersely. 
** Trelawney’s place at left guard isn’t going to 
be easy to fill.” 

** I think Foster’s the man.” 

How about Benson ? ” 

Too light. You remember how Kingston 
pushed him all over the field last year ? ” 

“ Yes. But he has grit. He fights for all 
he is worth. I’m not sure about Foster.” 

“ Oh, I see,” said Macklin slowly. A 
28 


MAKING THE PACKS 


light breaks upon me. Then this trip is not 
only a trip to get us in shape but a scheme to 
try out the spirit of those two I 

He looked at Bob, who nodded assent. 

Great idea. But Benson’s too light any- 
way, in my opinion, even if he is made of the 
better stuff.” 

I have a theory he’ll train up on this 
trip. Last year he was in poor shape when he 
reported, and the strain of the season brought 
his weight way down. If I can put ten 
pounds on him before we return I think he’ll 
hold it.” 

Well,” said Macklin, as he tumbled into 
bed, my judgment is against it.” 

Bob paused in the act of blowing out the 
light, and turned to his companion. 

See here. Mack,” he said. ** You’re captain 
of the ’Varsity, all right. I understand that. 
But I’m coach. If we’re to get on together, 
you must stop using your judgment until you 
have some facts to base it on.” 

Macklin grinned from his pillows. Same 
old Bob. Don’t worry. I guess we’ll get on 
all right.” 


29 


A GRADUATE COACH 


At six the next morning Bob opened a 
sleepy eye in response to a knock on the 
door, and with many a groan got slowly out 
of bed. 

Macklin snored on peacefully. 

Bob regarded him for a moment, then took 
pity on the sleeper, and went to awaken the 
others first. 

“ Rat-a-tat-tat ! He beat furiously with 
both fists upon their door and then entered 
unceremoniously. 

“ Turn out ! ” he called. Time to get up ! 

G-r-r-r-h ! 

“ Hi, Tom I Wake up.’^ 

Wha-what’s the matter ? 

Get up.’’ 

All right.” 

Benson stretched, rolled over on his other 
side and went to sleep again. 

Bob poked him in the ribs. 

All right — what’s the hurry ? I’m getting 
up ! ” 

A lot you are,” commented Bob, and seiz- 
ing the covers in a ruthless hand he swept 
them off the bed. 


30 


MAKING THE PACKS 


** Wow I That's the deuce of a trick," com- 
plained Benson, still half asleep. He rubbed 
his knuckles in his eyes and stared be- 
wilderedly around him. ** Hel-lo I is that 
you. Bob ? Time to get up ? " 

“ Time to get up I " repeated Bob sarcastic- 
ally, “ when I’ve been bellowing in your ears 
for five minutes." 

Sorry," said Benson swinging his legs over 
the edge of his mattress. Is Joe awake 
yet?" 

Not a quiver I " replied Bob, looking across 
at Foster’s recumbent figure wrapped in the 
bedclothes like a caterpillar in its chrysalis. 

‘‘This’ll do the job." Benson leaned down 
and picked up a slipper, which with true aim 
he slammed at his roommate. It caught the 
latter on the ear and brought him out of bed 
all standing — a howl on his lips. 

“ Confound you, Tom." The slipper whizzed 
back, but Benson was on the alert and dodged 
it neatly. 

“ Stop your fooling now, and get dressed," 
commanded Bob. “ Breakfast in fifteen min- 
utes," he warned. 

31 


A GRADUATE COACH 


On his return to his own room he found 
Macklin struggling into his clothes. 

^‘Others up?” 

“Just. Nice to get into these clothes 
again? ” 

“ You bet,” said Macklin with enthusiasm 
as he pulled on his boots. “ Nothing like it.” 

The coach and captain had already dis- 
posed of two eggs apiece when the others 
appeared, very conscious of the patently new 
effect they presented from flannel shirt to 
shoe-packs.^ 

“ Tenderfeet, that’s certain,” remarked 
Macklin cruelly. “ I see that we’ll have to 
give you extra work to get the gloss off those 
trousers.” 

“ I forgot to tell you, Foster,” remarked 
Bob, “ that a cravat is one of the things we 
usually dispense with in the woods.” 

Foster’s hand stole guiltily to his neck, 
where a modest blue tie gave what he con- 
sidered the finishing touch to his costume. 

“ If you feel undressed without it,” contin- 
ued Bob, banteringly, “ tie a handkerchief 

^ “ Shoe-packs — high moccasins. 

32 


MAKING THE PACKS 

round your neck. It’s quite as ornamental 
and much more useful.” 

Foster laughed consciously, but it was notice- 
able that the blue tie was missing shortly after 
breakfast. 

Now,” said Bob drawing a long breath, 
when they had all assembled in his room, ** I 
am going to make up the packs. Watch 
close, because you can get more pure misery 
out of a badly»made pack than anything 
I know. And one of us will have to do 
this every morning. Hand me that rubber 
blanket.” 

He divided the bags of food into two parts 
of equal weight. 

We want to get the packs as nearly equal 
as we can,” he said, and leaning over spread 
the rubber blanket on the floor. 

'' You see I lay this leather thong six inches 
from each end. That’s for the ' pucker string.’ 
Turn the edges over. Now two pairs of blank- 
ets. I use this rope for the pucker string. 
Now the food. Pile it evenly. Have you got 
your personal duffle-bag ready ? ” he asked 
Benson. 


33 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Get a move on, then. Hand me Mack’s 
and mine. There I On second thoughts I’ll 
add the rest of the flour to this pack. That 
will just balance the tents. Now roll the 
blankets up just as tight as you can get them. 
Take a pull on that pucker string, Frank — 
the inside one. Yes, that’s right. Just as 
tight as you can — good. Take a half hitch 
and pass the end to me.” 

Bob swiftly passed the rope round the pack 
and made it fast. 

Now the same thing for the rubber 
blanket.” 

He rolled the pack over, caught up the end 
of the thong — pulled on it, and when he had 
the ends of the pack as closely drawn as possi- 
ble, passed two of the loose ends round the 
middle. 

You see these two loose ends ? ” He held 
them up. These buckle on the headstrap. 
Throw it over here.” 

He buckled the broad piece of leather to the 
ends of the thongs and stood up. 

Swing her up. Mack,” he said. Macklin 

34 


MAKING THE PACKS 


seized the thongs close to the pack and giving 
a half turn, slung it dexterously to his back 
and adjusted the headstrap across his fore- 
head. 

How does she feel ? 

** All right. Hung a bit too high for me, 
though.” 

** Put her down. That^s the advantage of 
these buckles,” remarked Bob, as he let the 
strap out a hole. The tump-line used to be 
made all in one piece and you had to undo 
the pack to adjust it. Now try her.” 

“ All right.” Macklin took a couple of 
turns up and down the room, while the two 
novices looked on eagerly. 

Let me try her,” said Foster. 

Sure I ” Macklin dropped the pack with a 

jar. 

Foster stood over it in the attitude he had 
seen Macklin assume, and boldly tried to 
swing it up. He had not caught the knack 
of it, however, and the edge of the pack caught 
on his hip. He struggled with it, but the 
weight was too great to lift from the strained 
position he was in and he had to let go. 

35 


A GRADUATE COACH 


'' You can’t make it in two heaves, 
Joe,” said Bob smiling. “ A heavy pack 
like that must be swung straight from the 
ground to your back in one motion. Try 
again.” 

This time Foster was successful. It’s not 
so heavy when you get it up,” he remarked 
as he duplicated Macklin’s promenade. 

It never is for the first hundred yards,” 
remarked Macklin dispassionately. ** But the 
second hundred I Oh, my ! ” 

Bob allowed the others to make up the 
second pack under his supervision. They 
took some time at it, but finally completed it 
to their satisfaction. 

Now for the cooking outfit,” remarked 
Bob, reaching for a small brown canvas 
haversack. 

By Jove, we forgot all about it I ” ex- 
claimed Foster. 

No, indeed. It always goes in a pack by 
itself. Easier to get at and keeps the other 
things cleaner. We can take turns balancing 
it on top of the other pack.” 

“ What does it weigh ? ” 

36 


MAKING THE PACKS 


“ Oh, about twelve pounds. It’s not much,” 
said Bob, working away. Now that's fin- 
ished. There are the rods. Four of them. 
I got you all the files and leaders you'll want.'' 

“How about rifies? Shall we all take 
them ? '' 

“ I say not. Two will be plenty. I'll carry 
this .22 pistol. It will come in handy for 
partridges.'' 

Bob looked round the room to see if he had 
forgotten anything. 

“ Who'll carry the axes ? '' he asked. 

“ I'll take one,'' said Macklin and Benson 
in the same breath. 

“ Well, that about completes the list. Let's 
get started.'' 

They shouldered the packs and tramped 
down the stairs, where Jean met them. 

“ All ready, monsieur ? '' he asked. 

“ Yes, Jean. Canoes loaded ? '' 

“ Yes. Pierre is waiting only for your pac- 
tons to start.'' 

Outside they found the canoes loaded on a 
wagon, well tied down with rope, and Pierre 
perched in front. The packs were lifted in, 
37 


A GRADUATE COACH 


and with an “ Aliens from the driver the 
wagon creaked on its way. 

Au revoir, Monsieur Duval/' called Bob 
as he climbed up beside Jean on the front seat 
of an ancient looking buckboard. 

Au revoir, monsieur. Bonne chance/' 
replied the little host, and with a final wave 
of the hand he watched the party till a bend 
in the road hid them. 

“ We're off," said Bob with a sigh of satis- 
faction, and settled into his seat. 


38 


CHAPTER III 


THE CAKRY 

Bumpity-bump-bump ! 

“ Is this what you call a road in this coun- 
try ? ** remarked Foster as he bounced up and 
down on the back seat. 

Sure ! This is a turnpike. Wait till the 
last few miles if you want to see a mere 
road.’' 

Their way had led for some miles through 
the bottom-lands dotted here and there with 
houses. The road was rarely level, and their 
progress had consisted chiefly of swift flight 
down an incline, a rattle across a few yards of 
flat, a small bridge and a gradually slackening 
dash up the opposing slope, when, the top 
reached, their pace slowed to an ambling 
walk. 

“ Why do you always gallop down-hill, 
Jean ? ” asked Macklin after he had observed 
the process for the tenth time and for an 
39 


A GRADUATE COACH 


equal number of times saved himself from 
falling out backward. 

‘‘It is easier, monsieur, for the horse to 
take the hill. We all drive this way in this 
country, monsieur.'^ 

“ It may be easier on the horse, re- 
marked Foster, aside, “ but it’s hard on the 
nerves.” 

“ First cousin to shooting the chutes, I call 
it,” declared Benson. 

“ There’s not much danger of any of you 
falling out,” remarked Bob sarcastically as he 
looked back at the grumblers. “ You’re so fat 
that you are wedged into that seat for keeps. 
We will have to pry you out at the end of 
the journey.” 

‘‘Va doncl”^ called Jean. “Va done, 
Estelle,” and in the swift descent that fol- 
lowed all chance of repartee was lost. 

The character of the country began to 
change. The wide expanse of pastures gave 
way to mere clearings, and in turn the latter 
surrendered to the unbroken forest. 

“ That’s the last bit of civilization on any 

* “ Vadonc ” — “ Go on,” or “ get up.” 

40 


THE CARET 


extended scale from here to Hudson^s Bay/^ 
remarked Bob as the tree trunks closed around 
them. The forest is unbroken now till it 
runs out in the Land of Little Sticks.^^ 

At noon they stopped for a bite of cold 
lunch thoughtfully provided by Monsieur 
Duval. They were in no hurry. The better 
part of the drive was behind them and the 
canoe team was far in the rear. “ We’ll give 
it a chance to catch up,” said Bob as he 
stretched himself under a tree. 

After a wait of an hour they heard the 
creaking of the canoes in the distance, and 
hailed Pierre joyfully as he came into view 
through the low-hanging branches, still 
crouched between the prows of his charges, 
but busily engaged on a piece of bread and 
cold salt pork. 

How goes it, Pierre ? ” 

Mai. Bien de mis6. Much trouble. I 
get stuck back a little scuse.” ^ 

Have some lunch.” 

“ I have 'eet,” he replied smiling, and held 
up his pork. “ Va done,” and to the accom- 

^ Sense — French-Canadian term for a short journey. 

4 > 


A GRADUATE COACH 

paniment of much creaking he got under way 
again. 

When the last sound had died away, Bob 
got slowly to his feet. 

We’d better be off. Come along, fellows.” 

The road by imperceptible degrees dropped 
into the valley. The horse was walking, for 
just ahead was Pierre with the canoes, and 
the road permitted of no passing without 
much difficulty. 

To the pair of novices on the back seat each 
moment was of interest, and except for the 
frequent jolts as the wheels went over a pro- 
truding root their progress was peaceful. 
The gay chatter of the morning hours had 
been replaced by a drowsy silence and the 
hush of the woods enveloped them. At 
length they heard a shout from Pierre in 
advance and a few moments later drove out 
on a level sward. In the center of the clear- 
ing stood a small log cabin. A few yards 
from its door flowed a broad stream with 
precipitous cliffs rising from the further bank. 
But everywhere were trees. Leaning singly 
in perilous fashion from the edge of the 
42 


THE CARRT 


rocks or grouped in heavy masses along the 
river bottom, wherever the eye rested it was 
soothed by a tint of green, reflected even from 
the placid surface of the river itself. 

The next half hour was a busy one. The 
canoes were unloaded and placed in the 
water to test for the leaks which would in- 
evitably appear after the severe jolting to 
which they had been subjected. 

Pierre attacked a balsam tree and gave 
Foster a practical lesson in axe work, and 
in stripping the branches for the material for 
a bed. 

** We wonT need much of that, Pierre,'^ 
called Bob ; the bunks are half full now. 
We wonT pitch the tents to-night.^^ 

He was engaged in unpacking the provisions, 
while Jean rapidly cut some wood for the Are. 
Soon a blaze was crackling in the improvised 
fireplace near the river, and while waiting for 
it to burn down to the proper size for cook- 
ing, Bob suggested a swim. 

Come on, Tom ! ’’ he called as he shed his 
clothes. This is the last chance you'll have 
for a bath for some time." 

43 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** How^s that ? I thought we would camp 
on water every night.” 

** We will, but I have generally been too 
tired or cold to take advantage of it.” 

Oh, but it is so refreshing. I'll go in 
every day. If not in the evening, then in 
the morning. I wouldn't feel comfortable 
without my bath.” 

There is no law against it,” remarked Bob 
cheerfully. “ And your desire for cleanliness 
is most commendable ; but we'll see I ” with 
which prophetic remark he waded carefully 
into the water. 

The others followed, and soon the river 
foamed with their antics. 

Great I Isn't it ? ” sputtered Macklin as 
he came to the surface after a dive. 

“ Fine. Takes the stiffness out of your 
bones,” agreed Bob who, lying placidly on 
his back, was allowing the river to carry him 
slowly down. 

Pierre and Jean watched them from the 
bank with amusement largely tinged with 
amazement. Their skins shivered at the idea 
of the cold water. 


44 


THE CARRT 


Bob dried himself vigorously, and, dressed 
once more, turned his attention to supper. 

The fire had burned down to a bed of hot 
coals and it was but a matter of a few seconds 
before the appetizing odor of bacon caused 
the others to hurry with their toilets. 

The hearty meal put new life in them all 
and made them at peace with the world. 

Jean took the gum pot when supper was 
over, and devoted the remaining hours of 
daylight to making the canoes once more 
water-tight. Then after another hour in 
front of a blazing fire they turned into their 
blankets. 

“ Tom, you^ll take bow in my canoe, and Joe 
in Mack\s,^^ announced Bob the next morn- 
ing after a consultation. We'll balance better 
that way." 

Everything was in readiness, the packs 
stowed amidships, the rifies and rods tied 
along the gunwales. Foster and Benson took 
their places and pushing off Walters and 
Macklin stepped in the stern of their respective 
canoes. 

** Bonne chance," called Pierre and Jean 

45 


A GRADUATE COACH 


from the bank and with a twist of his paddle 
Bob drove the canoe out into the current. 

“ How goes it ? he asked Benson after a 
few moments^ silent paddling. 

** All right.^^ 

** Got the pads under your knees? 

** Yes. Very comfortable.” 

‘‘ Take it easy at first. We have lots of 
time. We wonT go far to-day. Just take an 
easy swing of your paddle. Keep the same 
time as much as possible; otherwise it is 
harder work for me.” 

The two canoes were side by side, and Bob 
watched with interest the work of the paddlers. 
Macklin was a fair canoeist ; Foster was a total 
novice, but Bob was pleased to see that he 
handled his paddle without clumsiness, though 
not with the ease displayed by his own bow- 
man. 

They paddled down the river for about 
five miles, and then Bob drove his canoe 
toward shore. 

Kerens the first carry,” he called to Macklin 
who followed his lead. 

As Bob swung his canoe sideways to a log 

46 


THE CARRT 


that lay half in the water, Tom made a mo- 
tion as if to rise. 

Sit still I ” commanded Bob sharply. 
“ Sternman gets out first, whenever possible,'’ 
and steadying the canoe he stepped carefully 
out on the log. 

Now, Tom I " and Benson hastened to 
obey. The pack came next, and was carried 
up on high ground. Then the canoe was 
carefully lifted out and the whole process re- 
peated with the other one. 

Bob slipped the paddles through thongs on 
the thwarts, in such a way that the blades 
rested on the center thwart, the handles at 
the bow. He rapidly strapped to each blade 
the small pads Benson had knelt on, and 
straightened out the headstrap which was al- 
ready made fast to the thwart. 

Macklin finished rigging his canoe at the 
same time and they stood waiting. 

Well," said Bob, “ who wants a canoe and 
who a pack ? I would suggest," he went on, 
“ that you two novices try the packs at first. 
The canoes take a little more handling." 

“ All right." Tom moved toward one of 

47 


A GRADUATE COACH 

the packs, and hefted it critically. ** All 
ready ? He seized the pack and swung it 
heavily to his back, and stood staring up at 
his companions from under his bowed head. 

Start ahead with it, Tom,’^ called Bob. 
“ You can^t miss the trail. 

Foster meanwhile had swung up one pack 
and was vainly endeavoring to get the cook- 
ing pack on top of it without overbalancing. 

Here, let me give you a hand,” said Mack- 
lin. ‘‘ Now you're off,” he added as Foster 
assumed the load — ‘‘straight ahead.” 

Macklin and Bob put up the canoes and 
walked after them. 

“ I'm going ahead fast. Mack,” the latter 
said, his voice coming hollowly from under 
the canoe. “ Five minutes' walk ought to be 
enough for the first scuse.” 

He walked ahead as rapidly as his burden 
would permit, and soon caught up with the 
pack-bearers — stumbling along under their un- 
accustomed loads. 

Foster found carrying a pack very far from 
pure pleasure. For fifty yards the load felt 
light. Then for a hundred it felt heavy. 
48 


• ^ 



<(T CAN’T MAKE IT ANY 
^ FURTHER” 







THE CARET 


Then the muscles in his neck began to ache. 
He supported the pack with his hands, but 
the neck still ached. Ached worse. For a 
hundred yards more he staggered along. 

“ I can^t make it any further. I mustrest.^^ 
His pride came to his help for a few minutes, 
but the shooting pains in his neck became too 
much for him. He felt that he had to stop. 
Just then Bob passed him. The latter saw 
the expression on Foster^s face and took pity 
on him. Fifty yards further he stopped, 
rested the bow of his canoe in the crotch of a 
tree and stepped from under it. This welcome 
halt put new life into Foster and, gritting his 
teeth, he brought his pack to where Bob sat, 
and dropped it with a gasp of relief. 

“ Jove, it feels good to get rid of that.^' He 
sank exhausted on the ground. The sweat 
was pouring off him. 

Benson came up a moment later in little 
better plight. Macklin himself had to mop 
his brow, and could not refrain from a long 
breath when he had safely lodged his canoe 
against a tree. 

“ Well,'^ said Bob with a twinkle in his eye 

49 


A GRADUATE COACH 


to Foster, who lay on the ground stretched out 
at full length, how do you like packing 
No mistake that it is hard work,” ac- 
knowledged Foster. ^'How much further is 
it?” 

“ About a quarter of a mile. We didn’t 
come quite half-way.” 

“Phew I ” 

“ Well, have you rested enough ? ” asked 
Bob a moment later. “ We ought to be get- 
ting on.” 

With a groan Foster got to his feet, slung 
up his pack and waited for the other to be 
placed on his shoulders. Then the line took 
up its march and struggled on. For a few 
steps Foster’s neck stood the strain, then the 
old ache returned. The trail was good, as 
trails go, but he found it a different thing 
from walking on the level. Every step had 
to be of different length. Now up six inches, 
now down three into a hole. Small differ- 
ences, but each change from the level caused 
the pack to pull at his neck and give his tor- 
tured muscles another twinge. His feet, un- 
accustomed to shoe-packs, hurt him also, and 

50 


THE CARET 


every stone or stick in the path seemed to lie 
at the exact spot where his next step would 
naturally fall. 

In desperation, for the trail gave no signs 
of coming to an end, he began counting his 
steps. 

“ I will take one hundred more,^^ he would 
say to himself, and then still another hundred, 
till at last his perseverance was rewarded by 
coming suddenly into an open glade at the 
foot of which lay a small lake. 

** Thank goodness,'^ he exclaimed and 
dropped the pack. 

Bob, as leader of the party, felt it incum- 
bent upon him to keep the others up to their 
work, but in view of the fact that it was the 
first portage granted them a ten minute rest 
before embarking for the short paddle. 

How far do you expect to go t(i-day?^^ 
asked Tom when they were resting comfort- 
ably. 

** I should like to make Lake Evelyn, but 
we will just go along as far as we can easily.^* 
Where is Lake Evelyn 

'' Let^s see. This next carry is a short one. 

51 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Then a two mile lake ; a mile carry ; another 
short lake, a three mile carry 

“ Great Scott ! this from Foster. 

“ And it’s a bad one too,” went on Bob. 

Then a mile paddle, and a half-mile carry. 
That’s all.” 

Oh, is that all? ” 

“ Well, we had better get going,” said Bob, 
getting up. “ The journey won’t get any 
shorter for thinking about it.” 

They all found the paddle a pleasant change, 
and all too soon were across. 

How about a canoe this time ? ” asked Bob 
as they landed. 

All right,” said Benson at once, coming 
forward. Just fix it for me, if you will, 
though ; I am not on to the hang of it yet.” 

Bob and Macklin lifted up the canoe and 
placed it across Tom’s shoulders. A mo- 
ment or two of balancing and he was off. 

When you get tired look for two trees 
close together and lower the bow into the 
crotch,” called Macklin after him and then 
loaded Foster with the other birch. 

Benson found the canoe rather lighter 
52 


THE CARRT 


than the pack, but he discovered that the 
branches had an annoying habit of catching 
the bow or stern and swinging the craft round 
in a way which nearly threw him from his 
feet and largely increased the exertion of carry- 
ing. 

He walked on for what he thought a fair 
distance, hoping to catch a glimpse of the 
next lake. No sign of it. He saw several 
trees which would have made a good rest for 
the canoe, but struggled on. At last he felt 
that he must rest. The paddle blades were 
cutting into the muscles of his neck in a most 
painful fashion, and nothing he did seemed to 
relieve the tension. He began looking for a 
suitable tree, but saw none. He walked on, 
struggling against his desire to drop the canoe 
to the ground. Still no tree. 

I must put it down in fifty yards,'^ he de- 
clared to himself, tree or no tree.” 

Just as he reached the determined point he 
looked ahead. 

The forest seemed more open just ahead. 
He kept on. The lake burst into view, and 
there close by the water was the long desired 
53 


A GRADUATE COACH 


crotch. He lowered the canoe as gently as he 
could to avoid making a leak, and sat down 
slowly. 

Ah I he said. 

A moment later Foster came in sight, his 
face red with his exertions, and close behind 
were the other two. 

When Foster reached the lake he stood un- 
certain for a moment. ‘‘ Hold on, Joe. Let 
us help you with that canoe,’’ called Bob from 
the rear, but before he could drop his pack 
and reach Foster the latter slung the canoe off 
his head and let it fall heavily. 

I won’t carry the darned thing another in- 
stant,” he growled. 

Bob did not say anything, but knelt quickly 
by the side of the canoe and examined the 
bottom anxiously. The others looked on in 
silence. 

I’m afraid we are going to have a leak 
there,” he said turning his head and pointing 
to a crack near the bow. 


54 


CHAPTER IV 


MAKING CAMP 

Bob applied his lips to the hole and sucked 
violently. 

** Yes/^ he said, ** I can get air through. 
We'll have to mend it now." 

He cast his eye around till he saw a birch 
tree, and quickly gathering a piece of bark 
and some small sticks, had a fire blazing 
in a few minutes. Macklin had meanwhile 
brought the gum-pot from where it hung in 
the bow of the other canoe. 

Bob melted the mixture and then, making 
a torch of a piece of bark, heated the surface 
around the hole and the surrounding gum. 
Then he poured a little of the gum into the 
hole and, wetting his fingers, pressed it in 
hard, moulding the outer surface so as to avoid 
any projection. 

“There," he said rising from his knees. 
“ That ought to hold a while." 

“ It shows you how careful you should be," 

55 


A GRADUATE COACH 


said Macklin reprovingly to the culprit. 

We’ve wasted half an hour.” 

I’m sorry,” said Foster, really penitent. 

But I thought my neck was going to break. 
I couldn’t carry it any further.” 

Oh, well,” broke in Walters. ** No great 
harm was done. Let’s get on.” 

As every one felt hungry when they had 
crossed the lake Macklin suggested lunch. 

No,” said Bob. Let’s get this next carry 
behind us first. It’s only a mile. Then we 
can have a long paddle before doing any more 
hard work. We can digest better.” 

The others saw the force of this argument 
and yielded, though the vigorous exercise had 
made the idea of food very alluring. 

I suggest that we make this portage with 
only one rest.” 

There was a howl of protest. 

** Oh, nonsense ! we can do it easily. We’ll 
get something to eat all the sooner, too. Just 
grit your teeth and fight it out. I’ll lead the 
way.” 

Bob shouldered the canoe and set the pace. 
Long before the fifteen minutes which he had 

56 


MAKING CAMP 


set himself as a mark were over, his shoulders 
and neck were aching, but in view of his 
recent speech he kept on to the last bitter 
second. 

Phew,” said Foster as he dropped his pack 
a moment later. “ That was fierce. Please 
let us have a good long rest.” 

“ That confounded gum-pot came loose,” re- 
marked Macklin when he had recovered his 
breath, and kept swaying back and forth 
right in my face. It^s odd how annoying a 
little thing like that can become. I nearly 
cried with pure anger. There it hung just 
out of reach and marked time to my steps. 
Most irritating ! ” 

“ Yes,” said Tom laughing. “ A fly per- 
sisted in lighting on the end of my nose. 
Every time that I freed one hand it flew away 
and as soon as I started up again back it 
came.” 

“ Well,” said Bob, I hate to be the slave 
driver, and these reminiscences are very amus- 
ing, but we have another little sense to go be- 
fore we eat, and Pm very hungry.” 

Once more the cavalcade started, and with 

57 


A GRADUATE COACH 


much pain and protest accomplished the jour- 
ney to the lake. 

Bob had a pot on the fire quickly and they 
filled up on bacon and bread brought from 
the cabin and washed it down with cups of 
strong tea. 

Gee, this is great, mumbled Foster with 
his mouth full. ‘‘ Give me some more.^^ 

My cooking seems to be appreciated,^^ 
murmured Bob as he speared the last piece of 
bacon and dropped the frying-pan on the 
ground. That's the last of it." 

Full and happy, they stretched themselves 
on the ground and dozed off. A gentle breeze 
fanned the lake into ripples. A few scattered 
clouds fioated overhead, and made shadows 
on the water, but the beauties of nature did 
not compare with the beauty of rest, and no 
one moved. The hot sun baked their wet 
clothes and relaxed their muscles till a gentle 
snore from Macklin brought Bob out of his 
day-dreams and to his feet. 

Wash out the cups, will you," he told 
Benson, while I clean the grease out of the 
pan ? " 


58 


MAKING CAMP 


Heating some water he soon had the frying- 
pan in presentable shape and then allowed 
Macklin to pack up. 

“ Aren^t you glad you took my advice ? 
Bob asked the company as they eased the 
canoes into the water. ** A gentle paddle is 
more to my taste than a portage would be. I 
feel heavy.^^ 

A chorus of assent greeted his words as the 
shore slipped away behind them. 

“ Even this is more work than I really 
want/^ declared Macklin whimsically. ** My 
idea of Paradise is what we have just left.” 

They paddled slowly, for the languor of the 
midday rest was still upon them and all 
dreaded the hard work ahead. But all 
things come to an end, and soon they were 
once more treading a moss grown trail. 

Before they had gone far, a stream across 
which a couple of trees had been felled barred 
their road. 

Macklin was the first to try the passage, and 
stepped out on the slippery surface with 
gingerly care. Half-way across one of the 
logs shifted slightly under his weight. He 
59 


A GRADUATE COACH 


lost his balance, made a wild endeavor to 
regain it and would have succeeded, but his 
pack slewed and the nezt moment he was 
sprawling across the logs, clutching for sup- 
port frantically with one hand while with 
the other he endeavored to keep the pack 
from sliding off into the water. 

For a moment the others were powerless to 
aid him, so comical was the spectacle, but 
Benson was the first to regain control of his 
faculties. Dropping his own burden, he was 
just in time to save the pack from a wetting, 
as Frank, despairing of assistance from his 
comrades, was about to let the duffle go and 
save himself. 

Nice help you fellows are ! ’’ he growled 
when he had once reached the further bank 
in safety. You just stood and grinned like 
chessy-cats. No thanks to you the pack isn^t 
soaked.’^ 

Sorry, Frank, said Bob still struggling 
with his laughter, “ I couldn^t help. You 
looked so foolish standing on one toe and 
waving the other foot in the air. just before 
the crash came.’^ 


6o 


MAKING CAMP 


** I dare say,” said Frank Macklin, only 
partly appeased, ** but I^m going to sit down 
here now and watch the rest of you cross. I 
hope you all fall in.^^ 

Macklin seated himself on the bank, but he 
was disappointed in his vengeance. Profiting 
by his experience the others used all possible 
precaution and crossed in safety. 

Once more they took up the journey, and 
with weary necks plodded on. The rests got 
longer and the distance covered shorter as the 
day wore on and more than once Bob looked 
at his watch anxiously and prodded the others 
all he dared. 

When they reached the beginning of the 
three mile carry he held a consultation of 
war. 

We canT make Lake Evelyn to-night,” 
he announced. IPs three o^clock now. 
Evelyn is out of the question. This portage 
is three miles. It will take us all of two 
hours at the rate we are going now. Pos- 
sibly longer.” 

“ What are you getting at ? ” asked 
Macklin. 

6i 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** I move we camp here for the night/^ 

Great idea/' assented Foster, with 
warmth. 

My reason is that we are green at making 
camp. It will take us a good while. It will 
be dark before we get through supper even 
now. And if we go on we will be hurried. 
How about it?" 

I think it is wiser," agreed Macklin. 
“ After all, we don't have to be in any place 
at any given time." 

“ All right, then," said Bob, getting to his 
feet, and looking around. “ Let's pick a place 
for the tents." 

“ How about this? " suggested Macklin. 

Not open enough. Over there is better. 
It's more open." 

“Yes, this will do," he called a moment 
later. “ Bring the packs over." 

When the others arrived they found that 
Bob had already cleared enough space from 
the underbrush for one tent, and was engaged 
in packing down the lumpy soil with the 
back of his axe. 

“ Get it as level as you can," he warned 
62 


MAKING CAMP 


Benson, who began work near him. You 
will appreciate it at three in the morning.’^ 

^*It will take more than a lump of dirt 
under me to keep me awake to-night,’^ said 
Benson. 

'' Don't fool yourself," replied Bob. You'll 
sleep like a log for four hours or so, but if your 
bed isn't comfortable you wake up then, and 
stay awake." 

Macklin and Foster were meanwhile cutting 
the necessary poles and stakes, and all four 
helping the tents were raised and made se- 
cure. 

Macklin and I will get supper if you two 
will rustle for some balsam boughs," said Bob 
to the two novices, who seemed inclined to 
sit down and rest. ** Get a hustle on." 

Picking up the axes they tramped wearily 
into the forest, and soon the ring of blows 
could be heard in the distance. Frank 
chopped two logs, while Bob unpacked the 
food and got out what he wanted. 

''What shall we have?" he asked as he 
rummaged among the bags. 

“ Oh, anything — so long as there is enough 

63 


A GRADUATE COACH 

of replied Macklin. “ I have a large void 
to m\T 

How about bacon, macaroni, johnny-cake 
and tea ? ” 

** Fine.'^ 

We may get some trout here, too/^ said 
Bob reflectively. Suppose you take Foster 
and make a few casts. 

“ Good idea,’^ returned the other as he 
placed his logs in position to form the fire- 
place. I’d better get you some fire-wood 
first, though.” 

'' Never mind. I’ll attend to it. We want 
the trout as soon as possible.” 

They are a long time getting some balsam,” 
remarked Macklin. “ Oh, here they come,” 
he added, as he heard a rustle in the bushes. 

Foster appeared, or at least his legs did, for 
his head was screened by a mass of boughs he 
carried in his arms. He dropped them with 
a sigh of relief near the tent. 

“ Mean things to carry,” he volunteered. 

That’s not the way to carry them,” said 
Bob briefly. This is easier.” 

He took up an axe, stood it upright, and 

64 


MAKING CAMP 


dropped the boughs over the handle one by 
one. The spreading branches clung tightly 
to one another and the axe head kept them 
from slipping olF. 

“ See/^ said Bob as he pressed the pile down. 
** You have only a quarter load carried this 
way. You can put on as many as the handle 
will hold, then just swing it over your shoul- 
der.^^ He illustrated the idea. “ Much easier 
that way.” 

Foster, enlightened, departed for another 
load just as Benson appeared carrying his 
branches in the orthodox manner. 

Bob looked up, interested. 

** Who taught you to carry boughs that 
way ? ” he asked. 

“ Why, — nobody,” said Benson. It just 
struck me as an easy way. Isn’t it right ? ” 

*‘Sure,” said Bob, but as he turned to his 
fire his face wore a pleased look. See that ? 
I like to see a man use his head,” he said to 
Macklin. 

“Want to come fishing?” called the cap- 
tain, grinning appreciatively. 

Benson turned, his face lighting up. “ Yes, 


A GRADUATE COACH 


indeed/^ he said eagerly. “ But oughtn^t I to 
get some more boughs ? 

Foster will get them/^ said Bob ; and if 
we need more you can get them later.” 

Bob watched the canoe till it rounded the 
bend and then turned to his cooking. He 
mixed his batter for the johnny-cake, sliced 
his bacon, and put the macaroni in water to 
soak. From time to time he added wood to 
the fire, in order to get a big bed of coals 
for his cooking, and in the intervals helped 
Foster spread in the tents the boughs he had 
brought. 

In the midst of their work, he heard the 
soft dip of a paddle. “What luck?” he 
called over his shoulder. 

“ Nine,” announced Benson, a ring of tri- 
umph in his voice. It was his first experience 
at trout fishing. 

“ Good,” said Bob heartily. “ ThaVs fine. 
Let^s see them.” 

He walked down to the canoe, where Mack- 
lin was busy cleaning the trout. 

“How’s that for size?” the latter said 
holding one up by the gills. 

66 


MAKING CAMP 


** A beauty — must run two pounds.’^ 

'' Every bit of it” 

We’ll have these four for supper to-night, 
and keep the rest for the morning.” 

He picked up the trout and carried them 
off to his fire. 

“ Johnny-cake is almost done,” he an- 
nounced as he tested it with a sliver of wood 
where it stood in the oven before the fire. 
** Get busy with the bacon, Mack, while I fry 
these trout.” 

Tom and Joe stood by and watched while 
the cooking was being done, unable to tear 
themselves away from the appetizing odors 
which floated near the fire. 

Warm up the plates, you lazy beggars,” 
commanded Bob from where he crouched by 
the fire. ” And get the knives and forks 
out.” 

** All ready,” he cried a moment later as he 
gave the trout a final turn. ” Hold out your 
plates. 

Good trout, these,” he said a moment 
later, when each was attacking a piled up 
plate. ** Where did you get them ? ” 

67 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ About a quarter mile up the lake, where 
that little stream comes in. They were 
thick.^^ 

“ Who did the fishing? 

“ Oh, I let Tom do most of it. He caught 
on very quickly.’^ 

“ You must have had some fun with that 
two pounder.’^ 

“ You bet I did,'^ exclaimed Benson, as he 
reached over for some more johnny-cake. 
“ I nearly lost him at that. I got my reel all 
snarled up trying to turn it the wrong way, 
just as he headed for the canoe. Things were 
lively for a moment, I tell you. But Mack 
saved him with a bully swoop of the net.” 

“ Well, that about fills me up,” remarked 
Macklin a few moments later as he leaned 
back against a tree. “ My compliments, Bob. 
You’re a great cook.” 

“ Thank you,” said Bob with a grin. 
“ But if you think I am going to cook for you 
three hulks every day, you have another 
guess coming. We must take turns.” 

Great Scott, must I imperil my digestion 
by eating what those infants concoct I ” ex- 
68 


MAKING CAMP 


claimed Macklin in alarm. Be a good 
fellow, Bob, and sign up for the whole trip.’* 
Not on your life. If you don't like their 
cooking, do it yourself." 

“ I would almost as leave eat their cooking 
as mine," replied Macklin, mournfully. It's 
sure death either way, and theirs might be 
the quicker." 

I can't stand for that I " said Benson, 
giving Macklin a push which keeled him 
over. ‘'Just to punish you, I'll cook the 
breakfast myself and make you eat it." 

“ Don't worry, Tom," said Bob. “ I have 
never yet had to use force to make Frank eat, 
no matter what the stuff was. As a rule I 
have had to fight for my share. He's only 
bluffing." 

Dusk had crept upon them while they were 
eating. The forest had grown grim and im- 
penetrable, in contrast to which the little 
circle illumined by their fire took on a feeling 
of home. 

Bob hung a kettle of water on the fire to 
heat for washing up, and Macklin made sure 
of his supply of fire-wood. 

69 


A GRADUATE COACH 


The camp duties finished, they piled wood 
on the fire, and retired to the tents. For a 
while voices sounded loudly, as they retold 
the incidents of the day. Then as one by one 
they rolled into their blankets, silence took 
possession of the camp. Tom Benson’s last 
thought as he pillowed his head on his arm 
was that he had earned his rest. And the 
thought was a peculiarl}’' satisfying one. 


70 


CHAPTER V 


WIND AND WATER 

“ Which one of you was guilty of snoring 
last night? ” asked Macklin as he crept out of 
his tent in the gray of the morning and found 
Benson kicking the embers together in an 
endeavor to start the fire. 

I'm sure I don't know," said Tom with a 
laugh. “ I slept like a log till ten minutes 
ago, when the cold woke me up." 

A morning mist lay heavily over the lake 
and forest, and both shivered as they crouched 
over the fire. 

Any the worse for yesterday ? " asked 
Frank. 

Pretty stiff, but it will work off." 

As the fire blazed up Bob appeared through 
the flap of his tent, rubbing his eyes. 

“ I thought I heard voices," he said. Gee, 
it's chilly." 

The coffee was on the fire and preparations 

71 


A GRADUATE COACH 


for breakfast well under way when the sound 
of a snore from the tent attracted Bob's 
notice. 

“ Hello, isn't Foster up yet? He is a lazy 
one. Hi, Joe I " he called, and getting no 
response threw open the flap. Foster lay 
curled up, fast asleep. 

Breakfast's ready," Bob shouted, and the 
word seemed to penetrate the brain of the 
sleeper, for after a squirm or two he sat up. 

Hello; breakfast, did you say? " and roll- 
ing out of his blankets he stepped gingerly 
out to the fire. 

He's the guilty man," said Macklin aside 
to Benson. Did you hear that last snore ? " 

Aloud he said : “ Who was guilty of the 
snoring in your tent last night, Foster?" 

“ If you heard any, it must have been 
Tom," the culprit replied innocently. ** I 
never snore myself." 

A shout of laughter from the others puzzled 
him, and his air of injured innocence only 
made them laugh the harder. 

No use, Joe ! " said Macklin at last. 

You can't throw that bluff. You ought to 

72 


WIND AND WATER 


get up earlier if you want to escape detection. 
That last nap of yours betrayed you. We’ve 
all been standing listening to you play a nasal 
solo. I must say you do it rather well,” he 
added critically. “ Great power on the high 
notes ; but if you don’t mind I wish you 
would cut it, out in the future. You kept me 
awake last night.” 

Did I ? I’m mighty sorry,” said Foster 
quickly. 

Oh, well, it wasn’t for long, so I’ll pass it 
over this time.” 

Breakfast,” said Bob, and the party sat 
down to lay in fuel against the three mile 
carry that confronted them. 

We must get a move on,” announced Bob 
twenty minutes later, when the last crumb 
had disappeared. ‘‘ Get to work on the 
packs.” 

Benson and Foster found that it was no easy 
matter to collect and stow away in small 
compass their household goods. They had 
watched Bob do it at St. Pierre, but somehow 
this was different, and they arranged and re- 
arranged the bags of food without arriving at 
73 


A GRADUATE COACH 


a satisfactory solution. Finally Bob came to 
their help. 

“ You are putting too much in this pack/^ 
he said critically. '' That's your trouble." 
Under his experienced hand the pack flew to- 
gether like magic. Now," he said, heave 
on the thongs." ^ 

This they found difficult, for their hands 
were swollen and stiff from their labor of yes- 
terday. 

Tighter," commanded Bob. If you don't 
get things really tight now, the pack will fall 
to pieces before the day is half over. It's 
worth doing right. You'll save time in the 
end." 

He turned away to take down the tents, 
folded them, and laid them ready for the next 
pack. 

Macklin had meanwhile washed the dishes 
and was closing up that pack. 

“ Hold on a minute," exclaimed Bob ; 
you've forgotten the lunch." 

“ Where have you been hiding that ? " asked 
Macklin. I was looking for something 
more to eat." 


74 


WIND AND WATER 


Bob grinned. ''Oh, I had it safe. We 
can^t stop to cook lunch to-day. Well just 
have cold bacon and johnny-cake.’' 

Fresh from a good breakfast the idea did 
not entirely appeal to the inexperience of 
Foster, and he said as much. 

" Oh, you won’t find it so bad,” retorted 
Bob cheerily. " If you do, why, 111 eat your 
share.” 

The first few hundred yards of the carry set 
a multitude of stiff muscles shrieking protest 
in Benson’s neck. It did not seem possible 
to endure the pain. But as the sweat broke 
out on his body, and the exertion of walking 
forced his blood through his body, the muscles 
worked more easily and the pain lessened. 

The others were undergoing much of the 
same torture, and it was an irritable party 
that gathered for the first rest. 

" Not much fun in this,” grunted Foster as 
he swung his pack down. " Wouldn’t we have 
had a better time if we had taken guides?” 

" Less work, of course. But not so much 
freedom.” 

"You don’t call having that strap round 

75 


A GRADUATE COACH 


your head freedom, do you ?” retorted Foster 
sarcastically. 

“ Not in that sense. But we have only our 
own wishes to consult. We can do as much 
or little in a day as we choose, because we 
are doing the work.^^ 

You learn much more,'^ broke in Macklin. 

You have got to do a thing yourself to learn 
how. Watching a guide won’t teach you any- 
thing.” 

“ It will teach me the blessing of leisure, 
anyway,” retorted Foster, and in the laugh 
that followed the irritations of packing were 
forgotten. 

Benson led off on the next stage of the 
carry, and plodded along at a fast gait. The 
more ground you cover when you’re fresh, 
the better,” he argued, just as he came to a 
bend in the trail. Twenty yards ahead were 
three partridges. 

He came to a stop with a jolt, put down 
his pack and hurried along his back trail. 

“ He}’', Bob,” he called in a low voice as he 
met the others. “ Partridges just ahead I 
Where’s your gun ? ” 


76 


WIND AND WATER 


Much excited, they all put down their 
loads, and Bob went ahead with the pistol. 

“ How far ? he asked. 

Just round the bend.’^ 

They waited in tense interest for develop- 
ments. 

Bang ! 

He got one I exclaimed Foster hungrily. 
“ May have missed,” murmured Macklin 
dispassionately. 

Bang.” A pause, and then bang I ” 
They could hear Bob beating round in the 
bushes for some time and then saw him com- 
ing toward them. 

Got two I ” he called waving the birds 
triumphantly. 

“ Fine ! ” said Macklin. We’ll have good 
eats to-night. Nice plump birds.” 

Third one get away ? ” asked Tom. 

Yes. I shot the first one dead, but just 
creased the other with my first shot and my 
second didn’t kill him. Had to scuffle after 
him in the bushes. The third meanwhile 
made off.” 

Funny this beggar let you have two shots 

77 


A GRADUATE COACH 

at him/' said Foster, examining the second 
bird. 

You can frequently take a dozen," said 
Bob. “ They call them the ^fool hen ' up here. 
They just stand and look at you." 

He tied the birds to the nearest canoe and 
they resumed the march. 

“ What's wrong with this blamed thing ? " 
said Macklin a moment later as he vainly 
tried to get the canoe balanced. Hi, you 
sinner," he called to Bob. ^‘What do you 
mean shoving those birds off on me ? You've 
destroyed the balance." 

Stand still a minute and I'll untie them. 
I was just wondering if you would notice the 
difference ? " he added with a chuckle. 

I like your nerve," growled Macklin. 

I'll get even with you." 

Even the longest carry must have an end. 
When they had labored for an hour and a half 
and almost given up hope of ever seeing water 
again, the lake opened before them. 

That was fierce," admitted even Bob as he 
got from under the canoe and reveled in the 
cool breeze which greeted him. There was 

78 


WIND AND WATER 


not a breath of air in the forest. I am literally 
soaked. And he applied his handkerchief 
vigorously. 

There were some confounded little gnats 
that kept biting me all the way,” complained 
Foster, rubbing his face. They were mighty 
vicious.” 

** What did they look like ? ” asked Bob. 

“ Oh, little things. Hardly a quarter of an 
inch ; black.” 

Those were black flies, not gnats,” said 
Bob. 

Black flies ? The things I have always 
heard about ? ” asked Foster in surprise. 

Yes. What did you think they looked 
like ? Horse-flies ? ” 

Yes,” admitted Foster. I never thought 
they were so small.” 

Their size didn't seem to interfere with 
their bite, did it? ” 

“ Not on your life. Just look at my face.” 

Try some citronella,” said Bob offering a 
small bottle. It will do the trick, if you 
apply it often enough. Rub it in well behind 
your ears. That's their favorite place.” 

79 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ IVe already found that out/^ said Foster 
ruefully, and used the oil liberally. 

“ We are going to have a taste of rough 
water, said Bob as he looked at the lake. 
'' The wind is getting up. YouTl have to 
mind your p’s and q’s, Tom.” 

Righto,” said the other as they pushed off. 

Bob’s prophecy was correct, and though the 
water was far from rough, it seemed to Tom, 
in contrast to the mirror-like surfaces they 
had been paddling over, that there was quite a 
sea on. 

Take your time, Tom,” cautioned Bob as 
they got out from the lee of the shore and met 
the full force of the wind. Just keep to your 
natural stroke.” 

At first Tom felt slightly fiustered, as the 
canoe rose and fell, twisted and danced on the 
cross seas, for he had not as yet the instinctive 
poise of the old canoeman. 

But as the minutes went by he fell into the 
swing of his work, and Bob had nothing to 
complain of. At times he watched the other 
canoe, and was relieved to find that it too was 
being handled skilfully. 

8o 


WIND AND WATER 


They reached the further shore without 
trouble, but Bob looked anxiously at the sky. 

“ The wind is getting round to the east,'' 
he said. I'm afraid we're in for some rain." 

Don't be a croaker. Bob," said Macklin. 

I don't believe there's any rain within miles 
of us." 

At lunch that day the despised bacon and 
johnny-cake of the morning met with an 
eager reception. 

“ Sure you want some, Joe? " teased Bob as 
he was dividing it. “ You won't hurt my feel- 
ings by not eating it, you know. So don't 
take it just to be polite." 

Well, I feel as though I could just toy 
with a little of it," retorted Foster. ^‘Just 
hand my share over, and I'll give you back 
what I can't eat." 

As they were about to start again, Foster 
gravely presented Bob with a crumb. 

‘^Here are my leavings," he said. “Don't 
overeat yourself." 

The partridges that night, with Bob's able 
cooking, were a great success, and under their 
magic influence Tom and Joe agreed that 
8i 


. A GRADUATE COACH 

wood life was the best sport they had ever 
experienced. 

'' Odd, how a full stomach colors the point 
of view,’’ murmured Bob, as he listened to 
their enthusiastic remarks. 

By the end of the third day, the muscles 
of Bob and Frank had regained the strength 
lost by a year’s freedom from packing, and 
even the other two had acquired some of the 
poise that comes from an acquaintance with 
the tump-line. At least they could walk 
their twenty minutes without becoming ex- 
hausted, and bid fair to be as handy with a 
pack by the end of the trip as their more ex- 
perienced companions. 

When Bob looked out of his tent oh the 
fourth morning he found his prophecy ful- 
filled. A misty rain was falling. The ground 
was soggy, giving evidence of a hard rain 
during the night, and the wind was strong 
from the east. 

“ Tough luck, fellows,” he said as they 
gazed mournfully at the low flying clouds. 

We’re in for it to-day. I was hoping to 
get into permanent camp before it struck us.” 
82 


WIND AND WATER 


** What shall we do ? Wait here till it 
clears asked Benson. 

Oh, no. We’ll push right on. The day’s 
route isn’t too easy at the best, and this rain 
will make it worse, but we can reach our 
camp to-night without trouble^ Let’s get 
moving.” 

The art of lighting a fire, cooking breakfast 
and breaking camp in the rain are all things 
that must be learned, and Foster and Benson 
learned them that morning. 

It took all Joe’s courage to step out from 
his warm tent into the cold rain and do his 
share of the work, but after some hesitation 
he took the plunge. The drizzle enveloped 
him immediately. Goose skin jumped out 
all over him and he wandered aimlessly 
round trying to keep warm. 

** Pitch in and chop some wood, Joe I ” 
called Bob from the door of the tent where 
he was preparing the bacon for breakfast 
under cover of the fiap. '' That will make 
you warm ! ” 

It was a disagreeable time for all and 
tempers wore to a thin edge before the firo 

83 


A GRADUATE COACH 


had been coaxed into a sufficient blaze to 
make the coffee. Then a cup all around, 
without waiting for the bacon, cleared the 
atmosphere, and made the rain seem less of a 
catastrophe. 

Never mind getting wet,’^ urged Bob. 
‘^The creek will do it anyway. So just get 
wet now, and stay wet, and it won’t hurt 
you.” 

“ Do we strike the creek to-day? ” inquired 
Tom. 

” Yes, a couple of hundred yards’ carry — 
and we reach it. Paddle down a mile. Port- 
age for two miles — take to the creek again 
for eight. Half a mile of lake, and there we 
are.” 

That doesn’t sound so bad,” volunteered 
Foster. 

“ It wouldn’t be, except for the creek. 
She’s narrow, overgrown with alders — shallow, 
and twists and turns on herself till it makes 
you dizzy. They have named her La Chienne, 
and she richly deserves the name.” 

Dog?” said Benson inquiringly. 

** Yes ! ” replied Bob emphatically. 

84 


CHAPTER VI 


DOWN THE CREEK 

It was with relief that the party started on 
their dismal tramp. It had been a pretty 
problem to make up the packs without 
getting the contents wet, but was finally 
solved by completing the packs in the shelter 
of the tents and strapping the latter on the 
outside. 

We will have to be careful with the packs 
to-day, or we will tear a hole in the tents. So 
go easy,^^ warned Bob as they started. 

Their spirits were not raised by the first 
sight of the stream. Hardly twenty feet wide, 
it swirled chocolate-brown between its mud 
banks. Bedraggled alder bushes leaned at in- 
tervals over its surface, and gathered to them- 
selves in an untidy mass the bits of wood and 
grass that floated down. 

The approach to the stream led through 
open land on which the grass, knee high, sent 
a shower of drops over them at every step. 

85 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Well ! exclaimed Bob, as he stopped, 
“ this is sure peach weather I ” 

There was no sense in resting when it meant 
simply sitting on a mud-bank in a drizzle, so 
without delay they embarked. The river 
twisted every fifty feet and made paddling 
hard work, as at times the bends were too 
sharp to allow the canoes to make the turn 
without backing, and Macklin, miscalculat- 
ing, more than once drove his bow ashore, a 
proceeding which invariably called forth a 
stream of protest from Foster, whose face came 
with unpleasant force into contact with the 
bushes. 

We take out on the left there I ’’ shouted 
Bob to the other canoe, which was in the lead 
as they made their hundredth turn and came 
in sight of a wooded bank. 

Real trees at last,’’ said Foster, whose 
stock of patience had worn thin, and to whom 
an honest growth of maple and spruce was a 
distinct relief. 

The landing was a bad one. A steep bank 
gave little foothold, and the log which at one 
time had served for a dock had so rotted 
86 


DOWN THE CREEK 

away as to give the most precarious of sup- 
ports. 

However, they were already so wet that a 
little more made slight difference. In fact 
the discomfort was so great that it became 
humorous, and before they had carried the 
last pack to firm ground they were joking 
over their troubles. 

Bob led the way with one of the canoes. 
He was anxious to travel as fast as possible, 
for once on the stream there was no place to 
camp, and to travel it in darkness would 
have been well-nigh impossible. They had to 
make Chienne Lake, and it was already late. 

He walked along at a good pace. The trail 
was level and hard, the rain as yet not hav- 
ing accomplished much through the thiclc 
canopy of leaves. Not until the full twenty 
minutes were up did he put down, though the 
canoe, thoroughly water-soaked within and 
without, was pounds heavier than usual. 

Five minutes^ rest,'^ he announced. And 
though Foster grumbled, at the end of five 
minutes Bob started off again. 

He had not gone a hundred yards when his 

87 


A GRADUATE COACH 


headstrap broke with a snap, and let down 
the full weight of the canoe on his shoulders. 
Bob’s first impulse was to stop and mend it, 
but realizing that that would entail stopping 
the whole party he determined to keep on. 

His shoulder-muscles having this extra 
work thrown upon them naturally tired 
sooner, and without the tump-line he could 
give them no relief, so that the pain soon 
became severe. 

I can’t put down,” Bob said to himself. 
“ It would be a bad example to the rest,” and 
he resorted to the expedient of shifting the 
greater part of the weight from one shoulder 
to the other at short intervals. This made 
the canoe more unmanageable than ever, 
but it did ease the pain. 

For the love of Mike, Bob ! ” said a voice 
behind him, aren’t you ever going to stop ? 
This canoe weighs a ton ! ” 

It was Foster. 

“ Pretty soon, Joe,” said Bob evasively. 

We are nearly there.” 

They trudged along another hundred yards 
in silence. 


88 


DOWN THE CREEK 


** My shoulders are broken/^ pleaded Joe, 
his voice taking on an angry tone. 

Stick it out, Joe ; it’s not much further.” 

Bob heard grumbling behind him, but Joe 
still followed. 

Another hundred yards were covered. 

“ My neck’s broken,” snorted Joe at last. 
** I’m going to put down now. You can do 
what you like. I’m not going another step 
to please anybody.” 

Bob heard the canoe being shoved against 
a tree, and realized that he could persuade 
Foster no further. 

All right,” he called, ** we’ll rest here.” 

Foster sat in sullen silence during the wait, 
but at Bob’s suggestion resumed his burden 
without comment. 

Three minutes’ walk brought them to the 
stream again. 

It was wide and shallow at this point and in 
clear weather several big rocks with flat tops 
made a pleasant resting place. 

We’ll lunch here, don’t you think ? ” in- 
quired Bob of the others. It will give us 
strength for what lies ahead.” 

89 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ Sure,” said Macklin. “ My stomach tells 
me it's past noon.” 

It's only too correct,” commented Bob. 
“ My watch says 12 : 45. That's the reason,” 
he went on turning to Foster, why I made 
that last carry such a long one. We'll have 
to hustle like everything to make camp before 
dark.” 

“ Humph,” grunted Foster ungraciously. 

“ I know it was tough,” went on Bob, with- 
out heeding the'other's manner, but I had it 
tougher than you did. My headstrap broke, 
and I carried the canoe without it.” 

“ You're crazy I ” said Foster brusquely. 

Bob flushed. A retort was on the tip of his 
tongue, but he choked it back in time, and 
changed the subject. 

“ This rain has one good feature,” he said, 
turning to Macklin, who was frowning at 
Foster's rudeness. It will raise the stream 
and give us a bit more water over the sand- 
bars.” 

Yes, it will be some help. But there has 
hardly been enough rain yet to make much 
diff’erence.” 


90 


DOWN THE CREEK 


Every quarter of an inch helps,” Bob 
replied cheerfully. '' How about a cake of 
chocolate all round? I got some out this 
morning.” 

Fine,” said Benson. I was wondering 
how soon you were going to let us sample it. 
My mouth has been watering for it.” 

We might have brought more,” acknowl- 
edged Bob. But I was trying to keep the 
weight down all I could. It does hit the spot, 
doesn't it ? ” 

“ How is the food holding out ? ” asked 
Macklin. 

“ Pretty well. But we will have to get some 
game or it won't last us. Beginning with to- 
morrow, we must hustle for our dinner.” 

I am getting tired of our bill of fare, any- 
way,” said Frank. Those partridges were 
the only thing that saved my digestion.” 

There was a strong temptation to linger over 
the meal once their muscles had stopped ach- 
ing, but Bob soon gave the word to start. 

For a short distance the creek showed no 
new characteristics ; it was the same muddy 
stream swirling between muddy banks. But 

91 


A GRADUATE COACH 


soon it passed out of the ridge of high land 
and entered into a stretch of flat country be- 
tween two ranges of low hills. The swamps 
extended on both sides of the creek to the foot 
of the hills, which were made impassable by 
thickets of alder and low-growing shrubs. 
Here and there a bit of higher land was sur- 
mounted by hardwood, but for the most part 
the alder scrub predominated. Through this 
soft ground the stream had carved its way with 
no sense of direction, taking the softest ground 
for its own, and consequently the bends and 
twists were appalling. 

I have watched that hilltop for the last 
half hour,” said Benson pointing to one which 
was high enough to overtop the alders, and 
we never seem to get any further away or any 
nearer. One minute it is ahead, the next 
astern, then on the left, then on the right. It 
makes me dizzy.” 

Bob laughed. That hill is our goal. 
When we reach it our troubles are over. It’s 
only three miles as the crow flies, but triple 
that by this confounded creek.” 

'' Why don’t we carry across then ? ” 

92 



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DOWN THE CREEK 


** Too swampy/^ said Bob briefly. ‘‘ With 
all our troubles we can make faster time this 
way.^’ 

Hello/^ said Benson suddenly. “ Here's a 
sand-bank. What shall we do? " 

“ Try to clear it close under the bank/' 
replied Bob, suiting his action to the word by 
swinging the bow of the canoe. The attempt 
was vain, for the channel ran close to the 
shore and a forbidding tangle of alders kept 
the canoe from following. 

That's the worst of these alders," said Bob 
savagely as the canoe grounded heavily. 

They are not an atom of use for anything, 
and take up all the room besides. No help 
for it. Hop out ! " 

Tom disembarked on the sand spit and 
hauled vigorously at the canoe, Bob helping 
all he could with the paddle. When the 
canoe lay square across the barrier Bob 
stepped out, pushed the canoe a couple of feet 
further, told Tom to get in, pushed the 
canoe into deep water, climbed in himself, 
after allowing his boots to drip over the side, 
and pushed off. 


93 


A GRADUATE COACH 


The other canoe followed and went through 
the same procedure. 

'‘Nuisance, isn't it?” remarked Benson 
lightly. 

Fifty yards further they were again blocked 
and again pulled the canoes across. 

“ Makes a lot of extra work,” said Benson, 
when they were once more afloat. 

Five minutes later and they were again 
stranded. 

“ Beats the Dutch I ” exclaimed Benson 
with emphasis. 

“ Oh, confound the things,” he said wearily 
a moment later, when having just taken his 
seat he saw confronting him, only a few 
canoe lengths away, another bar. 

Bob chuckled. “ I thought you would soon 
realize the futility of calling them bad 
names,” he said. “ You might as well save 
your breath. Just listen to them in the other 
canoe, though I ” 

Through the quiet drizzle of the rain drifted 
certain explosive remarks. 

“ Macklin is in fine voice,” said Bob dryly, 
and dipped his paddle. 

94 


DOWN THE CREEK 


They continued in dogged silence. Bend 
after bend they passed ; bar after bar tried 
their patience with its mute sign of no 
passage/' and still the hilltop circled giddily 
round the points of the compass without 
deigning to approach. The rain at intervals 
developed into a downpour which searched 
out the weak points of their clothing and 
kept them dripping everywhere. 

There is one blessing about these sand- 
banks/' said Bob grimly. The exercise 
helps to keep us warm." 

Not so you would notice it. I'm sort of 
chilly," replied Benson, digging his paddle in 
viciously. Then, Suffering Jehoshaphat," 
he groaned, just look at that I " 

Even Bob's spirit quailed for a moment at 
what he saw. An old maple had given up its 
hold on life, and lay stretched across the 
stream from bank to bank. It had been a big 
tree and it offered a good hour's delay if it 
had to be cut out. Its lower surface was a 
foot above the stream. 

Bob stared at it in silence and considered 
the situation. It was growing late. Time 
95 


A GRADUATE COACH 


was of value if they meant to reach camp 
that night, and he realized that they could by 
no means spare the hour necessary to clear 
the path with the axe. 

What are we going to do ? asked Benson. 

Bob looked at the banks. We can carry 
round/’ he said half to himself, “by cutting 
out the alders. Hard job, though.” 

He looked intently at the tree. The other 
canoe had meanwhile caught up and waited 
in silence for his decision. 

“ I have an idea,” he said at length. “ I 
don’t know whether or not it will work. We 
can try it, though.” 

“ What is it? ” asked Macklin. 

“ Push underneath,” said Bob. “Jump up 
on the tree, Tom, and let’s see.” 

Tom balanced himself in the swaying canoe, 
and clambered safely onto the trunk. 

“Take hold of the pack, now, and pull it 
up with you,” said Bob. “ You better get up 
there too. Mack.” 

Bob then moved forward in the canoe and 
with the help of his weight and the united 
efforts of the others tried to force the canoe 
96 


DOWN THE CREEK 

deep enough in the water to let the up-curved 
bow pass. 

Almost,” he grunted, as the canoe sank. 

Another inch. Good ! Look out I ” he 
yelled as the bow slipped under suddenly, 
and nearly threw him into the river. ** Steady, 
there.” 

The rest was easy until the stern was 
reached and that in the same manner was 
forced under, Bob climbing on the tree and 
Benson standing in the canoe. 

Hi-yi ! ” the latter exclaimed in triumph 
as the stern cleared. “ Victory I ” 

The pack was loaded again, and the canoe 
moored to a projecting branch while they 
turned their attention to its mate. 

I’ve just invented an improvement on 
your method,” announced Macklin as Foster 
brought the canoe into position. 

Yes ? ” said Bob inquiringly. 

Don’t take the pack out till you get the bow 
under. Then shove the canoe along, put the 
pack back and pass the stern. How about it ? ” 

Great head,” said Bob approvingly. “ The 
extra weight will be a great help.” 

97 


A GRADUATE COACH 


They acted on the suggestion. It worked 
perfectly, and soon they were once more afloat. 

I^m learning,^’ said Macklin with pride. 
“ I^m not in your class yet, Bob, but look out. 
I’ll surprise you yet.” 

I’ve lost the hill entirely now,” com- 
plained Benson a few moments later. It 
must have run off somewhere.” 

Dead astern of us,” said Bob, who knew 
his country, and was not averse to grand-stand 
effects. ** And now dead ahead,” this as they 
swept round a bend, and here we are I ” he 
announced with a final flourish of his paddle. 

As he spoke the stream widened, the alder 
bushes opened out and they floated into a little 
lake which washed the foot of the rocky hill 
they had been watching for so long. 

Is this where we camp ? ” said Benson 
with a sigh of relief sinking down in the 
canoe and laying his paddle across the gun- 
wales. 

No, this is the little lake. The big one is 
half a mile further down-stream.” 

“ More creek work,” this in dismay from 
Benson. 


98 


DOWN THE CREEK 

** Yes, but not the same. The rest is easy. 
Don't worry. Do you see that sand spit ? " 
he asked as the canoe drifted by a sandy prom- 
ontory. ** That's where we get the trout." 

“ Big ones ? " asked Benson. 

Big ones I " said Bob. 


99 


CHAPTER VII 


HEKE WE ARE 

The stream below the little Chienne Lake 
justified Bob's confidence. Its banks were 
softly wooded ; it was wide and free from 
obstruction. It was a friendly stream ; in 
distinct contrast to the irritable unsociable- 
ness of the other or the mighty anger of bigger 
streams. 

Even the all-soaking rain could not hide 
this quality of friendliness. The drifting 
mist was permeated with it, and the canoes 
shot forward under the new power of strongly 
wielded paddles. At times the stream for 
half its width rippled noisily over obstructing 
rocks, but always was there a deeper channel, 
and Benson exulted in the uninterrupted 
swings of his arms as he and Bob drove the 
canoe ahead. 

After an interval the stream abruptly 
widened into a small bay, dotted with the 
loo 


HERE WE ARE ’’ 


broad leaves of water-lilies, which in turn 
opened on a lake a mile long and half as wide. 

As Tom gave a breath of satisfaction at the 
sight, Bob twisted his paddle sharply and 
turned the canoe to the right. A few strokes 
and he let the canoe drift. 

Here we are,” he said simply, while the 
rain dripped off his hat and formed a puddle 
round his knees. 

Benson found himself facing a stretch of 
sandy beach, curved like a crescent. A high 
bank rose abruptly back of it, thickly covered 
with trees, up which a path could be discerned. 

The canoe grated on the shore ; Bob stepped 
out, steadied the craft for Benson, lifted out 
the pack, and then stretched himself. 

‘‘ Vm tired ! ” he said, and Tom nodded 
agreement. 

When the others had landed, the work of 
making camp commenced. 

The rifles and rods were unstrapped from 
the gunwales and the canoes turned bottom 
up under the lee of the bank. The paddles 
were laid in the bushes, and the packs carried 
up the incline. Ten yards from the top was 

lOl 


A GRADUATE COACH 


a small clearing with the remains of a fire- 
place. Two mouldy brown masses of balsam 
needles disclosed where the tents had been 
pitched previously, and Bob put his pack 
down with a feeling that he was once more at 
home. 

We canT hope to do much to-night, he 
said, toward making camp comfortable.^^ 

It certainly doesn't look so," agreed Foster 
dismally as he sat hunched up on a pack and 
stared at the water soaked ground. 

It's not as bad as all that, Joe," Bob said 
with a grin of cheerfulness. ** We won't die of 
hunger and cold, anyway, and if you'll all 
chase yourselves, I think we can get reason- 
ably dry into the bargain. Cheer up I" He 
knelt and unstrapped the tents. 

The very first thing to do is to get these 
up," he said. Clear away those old beds 
and see if the ground is any drier under 
them. 

All right," he said a moment later. 

We'll run the tents right up on the old 
sites." 

Under his energetic leadership the camp 
102 


^^HERE WE ARE*^ 


began to take form quickly. When the tents 
were well under way, he turned his attention 
to a fire, rightly judging that a big blaze 
would cheer the spirits of the company. It 
took some time to find a birch tree and more 
to find a rotten tree from which he could hope 
to secure some dry punk, but once his search 
was successful, the operation of starting the fire 
was speedily accomplished. Then as the first 
flames shot up he piled on the top of a dead 
balsam and shortly the four voyagers had 
dropped all other work and were bringing 
their “ goose-flesh ” back to a normal condi- 
tion before the crackling blaze, which sent a 
shower of sparks heavenward. 

Bob allowed but a moment of this relaxa- 
tion. Get to work, you lazy beggars,^^ he 
said, ** if you want any comfort to-night. 
Scatter and get me some wood. That^s the 
first thing, or this fire will be out.’^ 

** How about balsam boughs ? ” asked Ben- 
son as he seized an axe. 

No use getting them to-night. We will 
be drier on the bare ground. Just get fire- 
wood. Lots of it I 


A GRADUATE COACH 


In a few moments the forest resounded with 
the blows of steel on wood, and Macklin shortly 
arrived with some logs and the cheering news 
that the sky was clearing in the west. 

Bully/' said Bob, who was nursing his 
fire along, the balsam top having died down 
to a few embers. Hurry and split those 
logs." 

Bob was prodigal with his wood and kept 
sending the others back for more until he had 
his fire piled high and a big supply at his side. 

Feel warmer?" he asked Foster as the 
latter dropped an armful of fuel beside him. 

You bet I " 

Open up the packs, then, and get me out 
some erbswurst.^ Then you had better get 
into some dry clothes." 

Bob set a pot on to boil, crumbled up the 
erbswurst and dropped it in. 

“What's that stuff?" asked Benson as he 
added his contribution to the wood-pile. 

“ Erbswurst. I thought the sooner we got 
something hot inside of us, the better. And 
this is the quickest. Makes a thick soup." 

* German army ration : pea-meal sausage. 

104 


<^HERE WE ARE^' 


Fine/' agreed Benson, sniffing at the pot. 

Hurry it along." 

The others stripped to the skin and rubbed 
dry while Bob stirred the soup. 

Hurry and finish your dressing, Mack," 
he called after a moment. Take a hand at 
this while 1 change. The rain has stopped." 

Two platefuls apiece of the steaming soup 
put new life into them all. 

Gee, that’s good,” volunteered Foster as 
he scraped his plate. I really feel warm 
again," and he stretched himself out on the 
blankets. 

Here, move over I " said Benson. Give 
me some room." 

They lay silent for some time, exulting in 
the glorious fact that the Chienne was passed 
and that for a week they were to be free of the 
tump-line. Suddenly in the gathering gloom 
a rosy light penetrated the tent. Bob jumped 
up and looked out. 

'' The storm is over, fellows," he exclaimed. 

Come out and look at the sunset." 

Overhead still hung a thick blanket of moist 
clouds, but to the west was a broad band of 
105 


A GRADUATE COACH 


clear sky tinged with pink, while low down 
on the horizon a mass of fire twinkled through 
the trees and gave promise of clear weather. 
The little clearing in which they stood shone 
with a myriad points of light as the rain-drops 
caught the sun's rays, and as Bob looked at his 
companions he saw smiles breaking through 
the masks of gloom which had covered their 
faces moat of the day. 

We are going to have clear weather," he 
announced as he sniffed the breeze which stole 
through the trees and blew the fire smoke 
circling in low eddies. “ The wind’s coming 
out of the west." 

For an hour they busied themselves ’round 
camp. Bob cut two notched sticks which he 
planted in the ground on either side of his 
fire, and then laid a pole across the notches on 
which to hang the pots. Pot-hangers he made 
by cutting half-inch sticks of varying lengths, 
and driving a nail in each end ; one to hook 
over the cross-pole, the other to catch the pot- 
handle. Macklin meanwhile tightened the 
tent pegs while the others got out the blankets 
and made ready for the night. 

io6 


^‘HERE WE ARE^^ 


When Bob had his fireplace shipshape he 
raked his coals together and looked at them 
thoughtfully. Then he turned to the others 
with a twinkle in his eye. 

Fine bed of coals I have here/' he an- 
nounced. It seems a pity to waste them. 
Could any of you eat a small slice of nicely 
broiled bacon with some buckwheat cakes on 
the side ? Don't all speak at once." 

“ Could 1 1 Watch me I " 

Rather." 

Great brain you have, Bob. I'm simply 
famished." 

The idea apparently meets with approval," 
said Bob laughing. ** So here goes." 

He mixed his batter hurriedly, cut his bacon 
in large, generous slices and soon had the pan 
sizzling on the coals. 

** One might suppose none of you had had a 
bite to eat for weeks," he remarked*^ as he 
looked around at the three faces which leaned 
toward the fire, sniffing ecstatically the ofly 
odor of the bacon. 

I feel that way," retorted Macklin, and I'm 
not ashamed of it. I wouldn't sell my hollow 
107 


A GRADUATE COACH 


feeling for a diamond mine, now that I see 
what I am going to placate it with. Ah ! ” 

The last exclamation was drawn forth by 
the splash of the buckwheat batter into the 
bacon grease. Bob had fished out the latter 
and placed it on a plate to keep warm. 

Pretty fine, eh?” asked Bob, as he turned 
the cake over. 

Bully I ” 

Bob made four cakes, each the size of the 
frying-pan. Not very professional,” he re- 
marked, but it saves time.” 

For a few moments nothing was heard but 
the slow grinding of four sets of teeth, and in 
a surprisingly short time four empty plates 
stared up at their owners. 

Is that all? ” asked Foster regretfully as he 
mopped up the last bit of grease with his cake. 

Yes I You glutton ! ” said Bob indignantly. 

We’ll have to put Joe on an allowance,” he 
added to the others. '' He’ll eat us out of house 
and home, otherwise.” 

They sat on a log by the fire in silence after 
that, blissfully conscious of full stomachs, and 
watched the fire lick round the fresh wood 
108 


^^HERE WE ARE'^ 


Bob had thrown on, blaze up, and die down 
once more into a dull glow. At length one 
log, burnt through, fell with a crash and sent 
up a shower of sparks. 

** We might as well turn in,’^ remarked 
Bob, rousing himself. No more food to- 
night, Joe.’* 

The group scattered to examine the clothes 
hung by the fire to dry. 

Pretty wet still,*’ remarked Macklin crit- 
ically as he examined his shirt. 

“ Take ’em in the tent with you, anyway,” 
advised Bob. They’ll be covered with dew 
in the morning if you don’t. Whose boots are 
these ? ” he added as he stumbled over a pair 
lying near the fire. 

Mine,” said Foster. Are they dry yet ? ** 

Dry ? ” ejaculated Bob. For goodness 
sake never try to dry out a pair of shoe-packs. 
They’ll leak like a sieve if you do — to say 
nothing of cracking.” He looked at the boots 
critically. My advice is to take ’em down 
and put ’em in the lake at once, or you 
won’t be able to get into them in the morning. 
They’ll be stiff as boards.” 

109 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** But they are all wet inside,” objected 
Foster. 

That won't hurt any. After you have 
soaked them well, turn them upside down on 
a stick like mine there. The insides will dry 
out.” 

After Foster had departed crestfallen with 
his boots. Bob cleared away the remains of 
their late supper, sent Benson to the lake for 
some drinking water, and then sat down in his 
tent. 

Pretty tired ! ” he admitted to Macklin's 
inquiry. It's been a hard day. How does 
Joe pan out as a canoe mate ? ” 

Fair,” said Macklin slowly. ** He doesn't 
get on to things very quickly, though.” 

No, I've noticed that. Tom sizes up 
better that way. There's good stuff in that 
boy.^' 

“ So there is in Foster,” said Macklin 
springing to the defense of his protege. But 
just now he's too fat. The work comes harder 
on him.” 

** Yes,” admitted Bob grudgingly. He is 
fat. But somehow,” he lowered his voice, he 

1 lO 


‘‘ HERE WE ARE ’’ 


doesn^t seem to have the backbone he should. 
He is inclined to lie down under punish- 
ment.^’ 

“ Oh,” protested Macklin, “ I think you 
are wrong. Remember he is new to this sort 
of work. You can’t develop neck muscles in 
a day.” 

“ Nor in a week, for that matter. I admit 
all that. I make allowance for it. But 

nevertheless ” his voice died away. 

Nevertheless what ? You don’t think he 
has a yellow streak, do you ? ” 

Oh, no ! It’s simply that he has not learnt 
to punish himself.” 

“ Oh, he hasn’t got the swing of the work 
yet. He’s strong enough. Wait till he gets 
his fat off.” 

Ssh I ” said Bob. “ Here they come. Fix 
your boots ? ” he called as a figure passed in 
front of the tent. 

Yes ; I think they will be 0. K. now,” 
said Foster, peering in. “ Gone to bed ? ” 

Just about. Where’s that water? ” 

Here you are,” said Tom, setting down 
the brimming pail. Fresh as fresh ! ” 

111 


A GRADUATE COACH 


‘‘ Fine I said Bob wiping his mouth and 
drawing a deep breath. “ Have some, Mack ? '' 

“ What are the plans for to-morrow ? 
asked Benson. 

“ Take it easy,^^ said Bob. We must have 
some fish, though. You and Joe can attend 
to that. I thought I'd take a little trip down 
the river, perhaps, and look for game. But 
rest up, if you want to. We'll be here a week, 
and except for adding to the larder the only 
work will be around camp. I'll get the break- 
fast in the morning. Good-night." 

When the others had gone Bob stepped out 
of his tent, and made up the fire for the night. 
He piled on a few logs, took a look around 
the camp, and returned to bed. 

Ready to turn in? " he asked. 

Yes, might as well." 

Bob slipped off his moccasins, put on his 
sweater and rolled up in his blanket. For a 
time he lay with his hands under his head 
staring at the play of firelight on the trees. 
He felt warm and at peace. The thought of a 
hard day successfully overcome colored his 
thoughts. The lip-lap of the water on the 
112 


HERE WE ARE 


shore below came faintly to him on the rising 
breeze. The noises of the forest were music 
to his drowsy ear, and he stretched himself in 
deep content. 

“Bully life I IsnT it?^^ he murmured to 
Macklin. 

“ Gnorr-r-r ! was his only answer. 

Macklin was asleep. 


CHAPTER VIII 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 

They woke to a sun-bathed world. The fire 
was out ; the morning air was sharp, their 
blankets felt enticingly warm, and their over- 
worked muscles gave warning of their condi- 
tion by sundry aches and complete stiffness, 
but the call of the sun was sufficient to send 
Bob to his tent-flaps without grumbling. He 
kicked the fire together, put on the coffee, and 
tumbled back into bed to drowse till the water 
boiled. 

The call of the hot drink was sufficient to 
bring out the others, and soon they were busy 
with their various duties. 

** If you fellows are going fishing, you had 
better get started,^^ advised Bob as they 
finished breakfast. When the sun gets 
much higher you won^t have any sport.^^ 

He and Macklin watched the others push 
off, and then turned to work getting balsam 
boughs for the beds. 


114 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


Ground felt hard last night, didn^t it ? ” 
Yes, rather ; though to tell the truth I 
slept fairly well,” returned Bob. “ These 
will make it soft, however,” he continued as 
he laced and interlaced layer after layer of the 
small fragrant boughs until the bed was a 
couple of feet thick. There,” he said rising 
from his knees, and surveying his work, 
“ that will do for the present. To-morrow 
when those boughs have crushed down we 
can add as much more, and then we’ll have a 
bed fit for a king.” 

The others meanwhile had paddled up to 
the little lake they had passed through the 
afternoon before, and landing on the sand-bar 
prepared to earn their lunch. Standing well 
back from the water’s edge Benson made a 
cast. As his flies lit on the water, there was a 
swirl. He dimly saw a brown body just 
under the surface ; he struck quickly, but was 
too late. His flies hopped aimlessly across 
the surface. 

Hard luck,” said Foster who, rod in hand, 
had been watching. 

The next cast was more successful. Ben- 

115 


A GRADUATE COACH 


son^s reel sang for an instant as the trout took 
the fly, but he soon had the flsh under con- 
trol and reeling in, netted him. 

Small ! he commented, holding the flsh 
up. “ About half a pound.^^ 

“ Good eating, though.’^ 

You bet.” 

It looks as though the fish were here, any- 
way,” remarked Foster as he prepared to cast. 

Eight you are,” said Tom a moment later, 
as he watched his companion’s rod bending 
under the strain of a fighting fish. “ That’s 
a big one.” 

A pound and a quarter, isn’t it?” said 
Foster when the glistening fish hung from the 
scales. 

Yes, and a shade over. This is good 
fun ! ” 

Luck was with them, and they spent a 
glorious morning. A cool breeze swept the 
point clear of black flies and other pests, and 
when Tom looked at his watch, prompted 
thereto by an empty feeling at his belt line, 
seventeen fish had been caught. 

“ That’s enough, don’t you think ? It’s 
1 16 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


eleven-thirty, and by the time we can get 
these on the fire, Til be ready to eat them. 
How about it ? ” 

Their arrival in camp was met with cheers 
from the others, and Bob pointed with pride 
to two partridges hanging from a tree. 

We havenT been idle either, you notice,^^ 
he said. I got them just down the trail a 
bit. We’ll have them to-night after the fish 
course.” 

‘‘ That sounds good to me,” said Benson. 

Want me to pick ’em? ” 

That afternoon Bob took Tom with him on 
a hunting expedition. They struck off on an 
old trail which led down through a ravine to 
a caribou swamp some two miles from camp. 
As they descended the woods opened out and 
the spruce and maple gave way to a stunted 
growth of tamarack. At first growing in 
groves, as they proceeded the trees became 
scattered, and finally ceased altogether, leaving 
Tom looking at a long moss-covered swamp, 
treeless, except here and there a group of the 
dreary-looking tamarack. 

The moss claimed his attention. In the 
117 


A GRADUATE COACH 


mass it gave the effect of a soft dim color, but 
as he examined it he found it composed of 
green, red and yellow stalks, beautiful in color 
and structure. At every step his feet sank 
ankle deep, and as he proceeded further it be- 
came very moist until every deserted footprint 
held water. 

What is this stuff? he asked. 

“ Caribou moss. This whole plain is 
covered with it. This was probably all a lake 
once, till it became choked with this stuff. 
We are practically walking on water.** 

Ugh ! ** said Benson as he looked round 
the dreary expanse. The idea gives me the 
shivers. Sort of bottomless pit idea.** 

“ Exactly,** said Bob. “ I always have an 
eerie feeling myself when I*m here alone. 
The idea is in the back of my brain that the 
whole bottom may fall out some day and let 
me through.** 

Where is camp from here ? ** asked his 
companion, staring around him at the hills 
which shut them in. 

Just about back of you. Off there to your 
left is the river which flows out of our lake. 
118 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


Straight ahead about a half mile beyond the 
end of the swamp is another big lake. You 
might go over there to-morrow if you like.’^ 

They walked some distance along the fringe 
of trees bordering the swamp, keeping a look- 
out for possible signs of game. 

“ See/^ said Bob suddenly, pointing to a 
series of deep depressions in the moss crossing 
their route at right angles. That^s the track 
of a caribou.” 

By heck ! Is it, really ? Passed lately, do 
you suppose ? ” 

** No,” said Bob. ** The moss looks wilted. 
He must have crossed here twenty-four hours 
ago, at least.” 

Do you suppose he is anywhere around 
here now ? ” Benson peered across the swamp. 

Not much chance of it. Caribou don/t 
stay long in one spot. They keep moving. 
Well, let's get back. I want to freshen up the 
blazes ^ on the trail. We may be caught down 
here some night, and a fresh blaze is a com- 
fort under those circumstances.” 

Benson was so inflamed by the sight of the 

^ Blaze — to mark a tree by cutting the bark, 

119 


A GRADUATE COACH 


caribou track that he accompanied Bob eagerly 
the next morning when the latter suggested 
another trip to the swamp. 

The way the wind is makes it advisable 
to take the canoe this time and strike across 
from the river/’ said Bob as he made up two 
small packets of lunch. 

They paddled for a mile or so and then Bob 
beached the canoe, and dragged it into the 
bushes. 

“ We’ll walk across from here,” he said 
leading the way. 

When they reached the swamp they sepa- 
rated. 

You keep on to the lower end,” said Bob 
generously. I’ll take the upper. There is 
more chance of game down there. If you 
don’t see anything you might go over to the 
other lake, and try your luck.” Bob con- 
sulted his watch. ** It’s nine o’clock now. 
I’ll meet you here at five. We had better 
compare watches.” 

Benson strode off with his gun over his 
shoulder and Bob watched him till he was out 
of sight, waving to him once as he saw the 
120 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


distant figure look back. Then he started 
hunting his end of the swamp in a workman- 
like manner. 

Tom meanwhile plodded along through the 
wearying moss. Every hundred yards or so 
he stopped and took a long look around the 
swamp, hoping against hope that he would 
catch a glimpse of game. Tracks were plenti- 
ful, but that was all, though more than once a 
dark object on the edge of the forest caused 
his heart to jump ; but on closer inspection the 
object invariably turned out to be a rotting 
stump or merely the play of light and shade 
on the trees. 

When he had covered two miles the tama- 
racks thickened ; gradually the broad expanse 
of swamp narrowed down to nothing, and he 
realized he had reached his hunting ground. 
For a couple of hours he patrolled his beat, 
but no sign of game gladdened his vigil. 

The black flies were tormenting, biting him 
in the most unexpected places, until his 
patience was nearly worn through. He had 
early tied his handkerchief round his neck 
and lower face, but the pests perched on his 
121 


A GRADUATE COACH 


cheek bones and ate their fill, new recruits 
constantly taking the places of the ones he 
slaughtered. 

‘‘ Not much fun in this,’^ he confessed to 
himself. I think 1^11 go on to the lake. It 
will be more amusing to keep moving.'’ 

The day had clouded over so that once 
committed to the forest he found himself in a 
dim light, in strong contrast to the bright re- 
flections on the swamp. The going was not 
difficult, even though he was following no 
trail, for the trees were open, and there was 
little underbrush. It was a relief to be walk- 
ing once more on solid ground, away from the 
constant drag of the moss, and he walked cheer- 
fully on, enjoying himself immensely, and ex- 
pecting momentarily to come upon the lake. 

Suddenly it struck across his mind that he 
had walked much more than half a mile, and 
that he should have reached the lake before 
this. The idea startled him, but he kept on, 
peering ahead for the first glimpse of water. At 
the end of ten minutes he stopped. He began 
to be worried. He could hardly have passed 
such a lake as Bob had described without 


122 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


knowing it ; and yet where was it ? On all 
sides stretched unbroken lines of trees. He 
began bearing more to his right, then mistrust- 
ing his first judgment bore to the left. Then 
he stopped. He suddenly realized that he did 
not know from which direction he had come. 
The trees could tell him nothing. He was 
lost I 

For a moment panic seized him. He was 
filled with a desire to run — blindly — any- 
where, and he made a few quick steps. Then 
his common sense reasserted itself and he 
forced himself to sit down and think it out. 
At first he could not control his thoughts. The 
one idea that he was lost — alone in the wilder- 
ness — kept hammering in his brain, and drove 
away all consecutive reasoning. At last he 
decided to climb a tree and look for the 
swamp. Choosing the largest near him, he 
endeavored to reach its top. With much 
efibrt he dragged himself up the stifiP branches, 
but could not reach a position high enough to 
see anything but the tops of the hills which 
seemed to surround him on all sides, and none 
bore the stamp of familiarity. Disheartened, 

123 


A GRADUATE COACH 

he slid down and reconsidered the situ- 
ation. 

Let's see," he said. The swamp lies south 
of camp, and runs about north and south itself. 
This lake I am looking for is south of the 
swamp. That’s right, I am sure." 

He said this with an air of finality that he 
was very far from feeling. The conclusion 
he had arrived at seemed simple, but he had 
reasoned thus far only by taking a tight grip 
on himself, forcing his brain, which swung 
back again and again to the fatally possessing 
thought that he was lost, was lost, to grapple 
with the, to him, illusive problem that two 
and two make four ; that if his steps, had led 
south, he had but to go north to arrive at 
his starting point. 

Having once arrived at this conclusion, 
though to his rioting brain its correctness 
seemed far from certain, he nailed it down as 
something to cling to. 

There," he said, driving a stick in the 
ground, “ that’s camp. North from here. 
Here’s the swamp," another stick. Here’s 
the darned lake. I must be somewhere in 
124 





J^E SUCCEEDED IN TOUCHING IT 


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BENSON IN TROUBLE 


between these two. All I have to do is to 
walk back to stick number two. That seems 
easy.” He had acquired a fair degree of 
absorption over his diagram, but the instant 
he looked up and saw the unfriendly trees 
shutting him in, panic seized him once more. 

I want to go north ! But which is 
north ? ” 

Failing a compass he had to rely on the 
sun. He looked up. A thick blanket of 
clouds obscured the sky and he found it im- 
possible to locate. 

It's twelve-thirty,” he said, consulting his 
watch. I'm certainly up against it. Even 
if I could see the sun it would be almost 
overhead and not much help.” 

Waiting for a rift in the clouds he blazed 
the tree against which he was sitting on all 
sides, so as to make sure of his starting point. 
The clouds moved sluggishly, at times open- 
ing as though to give him the help he needed, 
but always closing again, as though playing 
with his misfortune. At length, for a mo- 
ment, a bright spot shone overhead and, 
determined to wait no longer, he took it for 
125 


A GRADUATE COACH 


his guide. Instantly he made a second blaze 
on what he took to be the north side of the 
tree. 

“ The sun must be past the meridian. I’ll 
keep it on my left shoulder and walk straight 
ahead.” 

This was easier said than done. The 
nature of the forest necessitated a continual 
detour to avoid some windfall or thick un- 
dergrowth, and he could never feel sure as he 
straightened out after each bend that he had 
allowed enough for his offset. The sun too 
was only occasionally a help, and the patch 
of brightness which he endeavored to keep on 
his left seemed continually to move about. 

But he set his face doggedly ahead, shifting 
his rifle from shoulder to shoulder as it grew 
irksome, and trying to buoy up his mind 
with the pleasant thought that his packet of 
lunch remained still untouched and that its 
sustaining force was still his to call upon. 
He felt tired. Not that he had walked far, 
but the discomfort of his position, he refused 
to call it peril as yet, seemed to sap his strength 
and make the effort of walking a real one. 

126 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


Once he passed through a slashing, where 
lumbermen had at some time been at work, 
and the rotting trunks and discarded tops of 
the timber made walking difficult. He hated 
that slashing, for when its presence had been 
recognized by the increase of light just ahead, 
he had mistaken it for the beginnings of the 
swamp, and had rushed ahead only to find 
himself standing in an opening of a few acres, 
and the forest still hemming him in from its 
further side. 

But he swallowed this disappointment, and 
made the best of a bad bargain by sitting 
down and eating a small portion of his lunch. 
When the last bit of a slice of bacon slipped 
down his throat, he looked longingly at the 
second and last, but wisely put it back in his 
pocket. 

Ifil need that later, maybe.’' 

Refreshed, he continued his march. At 
times, when the apparent endlessness of his 
chosen course got on his nerves, he would cry 
out to himself that he was all wrong, he must 
be wrong, that it was south he should go, not 
north, or again, that camp did lie to the 
127 


A GRADUATE COACH 


north, but that he had mistaken the sun, and 
was marching south. But through it all, he 
restrained these impulses, and kept to his 
chosen way. 

More than once, after one of these periodical 
outbursts, he found himself running ; and he 
had to stop short and rest a moment before 
he could resume his way at an orderly walk. 
Then the loneliness of the forest oppressed 
him. The silence seemed peopled, and he 
would catch himself looking furtively over 
his shoulder, as though to surprise some possi- 
ble face that looked at him from the leafy 
undergrowth. 

To cure this, Tom began to sing, and for a 
time his voice drove back the encroaching 
eeriness of the forest and cleared a space 
around him in which he could draw an easier 
breath, but then the forest seemed to take up 
his song and send it back to him with a sinis- 
ter note and it no longer comforted him, so 
he stopped. 

Once he took himself to task for these fan- 
cies. “ The idea of you, a big hulking brute 
of a man, with a rifle, matches, food and a 
128 


BENSON IN TROUBLE 


knife getting in a panic like this. You ought 
to be ashamed of yourself. A nice opinion 
Walters would have of you. You who hope 
to make the Warrington Warsity 1 

His scorn of himself did some good, and as 
he walked he continued in the same vein, re- 
viling his cowardice and holding his conduct 
up to ridicule. 

“ You a football player I Why, Walters 
will set you to playing tiddle-de-winks I and 
he laughed. 

It was a good hearty laugh, for he was 
getting control of himself, but at the end his 
nerves betrayed him, for his guffaw ran up 
into a shrill squeak and at once his old ter- 
rors returned. He shook himself and hurried 
on. 

Suddenly the comparative twilight in which 
he was walking lightened, his heart gave a 
bound of relief ; he rushed ahead and came 
out not upon the swamp or even the lake, 
but upon a stream which ran noisily over 
some rocks and seemed with its music to 
mock his disappointment. 


129 


CHAPTER IX 


OUT OF THE WOODS 

He had felt so sure this time that his 
troubles were over that he stood for a moment 
stunned and then sank down upon the bank, 
the last remnant of his self-possession stripped 
from him. 

After a period he roused himself, for it was 
not his nature to give up until he had ex- 
hausted every possible means of escape. He 
walked down to the stream and took a long, 
satisfying drink, splashing the water over his 
head and neck and feeling much refreshed by 
such treatment, was able to return to his seat, 
and with a clear brain weigh the value of this 
last encounter. 

Certainly, he was in no worse plight than 
before he caught sight of the light through 
the trees. Here at least was water, and prop- 
erly used not only a thirst-quencher but a 
guide to lead him out of this maze of forest 
130 


OUT OF THE WOODS 

and put him once more in the midst of his 
friends. 

Properly used I Yes, that was both the so- 
lution and the problem. For just as surely 
as the stream could lead him to familiar sur- 
roundings so could it lead away, and for the 
solving of this problem he fell to drawing 
diagrams in the earth. The sun could not 
help him here, for the course of the stream 
seemed to be east and west. 

This stream was either the Chienne or a 
stream feeding the lake for which he looked 
and in the looking had become lost. Yet, 
again, it might be the outlet of that lake, and 
these three possibilities he debated at length. 

If it were the Chienne, he had but to follow 
up-stream to come upon the canoe they had 
left that morning in the bushes. That was 
clear I But there remained the ** if,’^ so he 
considered the other possibilities. 

If it was the outlet of the lake and it joined 
the Chienne, he must follow down-stream to 
the junction and then up-stream. If it were 
the inlet, but no — on second thoughts it could 
not be. It was too wide a stream for that. 

131 


A GRADUATE COACH 


So he wiped out possibility number three and 
set to consider the other two anew. 

If he followed down-stream, the best he 
could do would be to find the Chienne, and 
the streams might never join. If he followed 
up-stream he might reach the lake or^ the 
canoe, either of which would be satisfac- 
tory. 

That settles it,’' he said and with another 
drink, and settling his hat well on his head 
turned resolutely up-stream. 

At every bend he came to his eyes sought 
eagerly for a sight of the little cove and sandy 
beach upon which he had landed, or failing 
that, the broad expanse of lake which would 
give to him his direction. 

The stream twisted and turned to all points 
of the compass, and bend after bend was 
passed without yielding to his wish ; but the 
merry waters beside him were companionable, 
and the panic of the forest no longer assailed 
him, though his inner consciousness knew 
that it was stalking always at his elbow 
ready to again possess him if the bulwark 
of confidence within which he was now 
132 


OUT OF THE WOODS 

secure should yield through a faltering 
spirit. 

His rifle grew heavier and heavier ; the 
brambles which grew along the bank tore at 
his clothes and scratched his face, but he 
dared not leave the side of the stream, for 
fear that in its twistings it would escape him. 
At times he would be level with the stream’s 
surface, at times raised many feet above, and 
it was while pushing stubbornly up the side 
of one of these inclines that he had his first 
moment of hope. Surely that headland was 
familiar ; that point of land stuck out ahead 
with the lone tree upon it I He quickened 
his pace until the whole extent of the stream 
was visible. Then he sank down comfortably 
on the grass and looked and looked. There 
was the little cove ; there the beach and, best 
of all, there was the bow of the canoe peeping 
out of the bushes. It was the Chienne after 
all! 

After he had looked his fill at the welcome 
sight he went down to the canoe and could 
not refrain from patting it affectionately. 

** It’s nice to see you again, old girl,” he 

133 


A GRADUATE COACH 


said half humorously, half in earnest. “ A 
while back I thought we were going to part 
company.^’ 

It was astonishing how the mere touch of a 
familiar object brought back his confidence. 
He looked at his watch. It was half-past 
two. 

Only two hours,’' he thought. I feel as 
if I had been lost a year. But there is no use 
in sitting here. I might as well go back to 
the swamp and get some shooting.” 

Accordingly he started out again on the 
dim trail he had traversed in the morning. 
But as he approached the swamp he got to 
thinking. “ If I keep on straight. Bob may 
mistake me for a caribou, or I may scare one 
that he is stalking. I had better turn at 
right angles, walk parallel for a bit and then 
cut in to where I was this morning.” 

He made his turn, watching carefully the 
sun, which was now plainly visible, and 
trudged ahead. Twenty minutes’ walk he 
thought sufficient, and then turned again at 
right angles and headed for the swamp. 

I had better go cautiously along here,” 

134 


OUT OF THE WOODS 

he thought ; I may run into some game any 
moment.” 

So with rifle slung in the hollow of his 
arm, ready for an emergency, he stole softly 
through the woods, peering ahead so far as 
the trees allowed, and thoroughly absorbed in 
his work. Not so absorbed, however, but that 
he stole frequent glances at the sun to make 
sure that he was holding the correct course. 
This was made the easier, in that his direction 
lay west and the sun was sufficiently low to 
make an upward glance hardly necessary. 

He continued his hunt for game, until the 
thought crossed his mind, unusually receptive 
to the idea in view of his recent experience, 
that even allowing for the slow pace he had 
maintained since making his last turn, he 
should before this have arrived at the swamp. 

The idea once born grew into a conviction, 
and though he did not suffer the panic of 
midday, he felt an uneasiness rising within 
him, that he had once again mislaid this 
elusive swamp. 

'' Confound the thing,” he said, his anger 
growing that he should prove such a poor 

135 


A GRADUATE COACH 


woodsman. I’ll very soon come to the con- 
clusion that there is no swamp.” Determined 
not to give in, he pushed ahead, and soon 
came to a dead halt, his abrupt movement 
being caused by his arrival upon the edge of 
the very slashing he had crossed during his 
earlier wanderings. 

“ I must be bewitched ! ” he stammered. 
“ How in the name of common sense can I 
have reached this place again I ” 

He consulted his watch. ‘‘ Lots of daylight 
yet,” he said stepping forward determinedly. 
‘‘ I’m going to keep on till I get some- 
where I ” 

His determination was rewarded. Within 
a quarter of a mile he stepped out upon the 
shore of a circular lake, a mile in diameter, or 
so he judged, measuring the span of wind- 
swept water that met his eye. 

This must be the lake,” he said with satis- 
faction, and sitting down upon a fallen tree 
he celebrated his victory by eating the re- 
mains of his lunch. The first taste of food 
made him realize how hungry he was, and 
the meager supply melted before his attack 
136 


OUT OF THE WOODS 


in a way which left him very soon staring at 
an empty larder. 

Gee, that was good,’^ he said drawing a 
deep breath of satisfaction and carefully lick- 
ing each finger in turn that no stray crumb 
should fail to do its duty toward replenishing 
his void. ** I wish I had some more.” 

He strolled along the curving beach for 
some distance, looking for tracks of possible 
game, but his search was unrewarded ; so see- 
ing that the sun had begun to dip toward the 
horizon, he retraced his steps and plunged 
once more into the forest in the direction 
which he now knew was north. The rays of 
the sun no longer could keep at bay the ap- 
proaching forest twilight and it was through 
a dim array of trees that he passed. There 
was no mistaking the shadows, however, in 
the more open spaces, and keeping at right 
angles to their length, he soon passed over 
the half mile which separated him from the 
swamp. 

** Well, you really are there after all,” was 
his greeting as he stepped through the last 
fringe of tamarack and stood ankle-deep in 

137 


A GRADUATE COACH 


the moss, looking down the long expanse of 
swamp. “ I fear it was my fault after all. I 
apologize I And with a light heart though 
weary feet he started for the place where he 
was to meet Bob. It was a long walk, how- 
ever, and he had plenty of time to turn over 
in his mind the events of the day, but the 
only conclusion he had reached when he made 
out Bob’s figure in the distance was, “ I’m 
blessed if I know where I went wrong, even 
now I ’’ 

Any luck ? ” Bob’s voice came to him 
across the swamp, and it was good to hear 
again. 

He waved an arm in answer. 

'' Didn’t see a thing ! ” he said as he came 
nearer. Did you ? ” 

Bob shook his head. Lots of tracks, but 
not a sign of the animal himself. None of 
the tracks were very fresh,” he added. 

“ I suppose we might as well start for home,” 
said Benson. 

Yes. Tired ? ” 

‘‘ Pretty well tuckered,” was Tom’s re- 
sponse. 

138 


OUT OF THE WOODS 


Did you go down to the lake ? Bob 
asked later, as they were threading their way 
toward the Chienne. 

“ Yes, I did. Didn^t see anything, though.'’ 

Something in Tom’s voice caused Bob to 
look back at him over his shoulder. 

“ Have any adventures? ” he asked casually. 

Got lost." 

Lost ! " Bob's tone expressed his surprise. 

How did that happen ? " 

“ Don't know, I'm sure. But I got lost all 
right. Found myself and then went and did 
the whole business over again. Oh, yes, I 
got lost, all right," and he related to Bob his 
wanderings. 

** I don't see yet where I went wrong the 
second time," he finished. I kept too far to 
the left the first time, I know that. But how 
I missed the swamp coming across here, I 
can't make out, unless it is that I am natu- 
rally a poor woodsman." 

‘‘ You say you left the canoe, walked two- 
thirds of the way across, and then turned at 
right angles ? " 

Yes." 


139 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Right angles to what ? ” 

To my first direction, of course/^ 

That explains it,” said Bob, who had been 
puzzled himself for a moment. 

** How ? ” Tom was still in the dark. 

“ Why, you took it for granted that the 
swamp is parallel to the Chienne. It isn’t. 
It lies at an angle of almost forty-five degrees* 
So when you made that turn at right 
angles ” 

I was veering away from the swamp all 
the time,” broke in Tom excitedly. 

Exactly. And then when you turned 
again you walked right by the end of the 
swamp without knowing it.” 

I see ! ” said Tom, a light breaking on his 
mind. “ Well, that’s a relief, anyway ! ” he 
added. 

** What do you mean ? ” 

Why, I have been thinking all this time 
that I couldn’t steer a straight course, when it 
was really the fault of the swamp for not 
being where it ought to have been.” 

Bob laughed. “ That’s one way of looking 
at it,” he said. 


140 


OUT OF THE WOODS 


The paddle up-stream in the fast growing 
twilight was very pleasant. It was a relief to 
both to give their legs a rest and transfer 
their energy to their arms, so the canoe shot 
forward at a good pace, and soon the lake 
opened before them, with a twinkle of fire- 
light on the further bank giving promise of 
warm food and a soft bed. 

As the others heard the canoe grate upon 
the shingle of the beach, they rushed down 
to hear the news, and were disappointed to 
learn of the non-success of the hunters. 

That^s too bad,’^ said Macklin. We 
fished and went after partridges, but had very 
little luck. Only three trout and no birds. 
We won’t have much of a supper.” 

“ Is it ready ? ” asked Bob. ‘‘ I’m fam- 
ished.” 

Yes, just about. Foster has made some 
biscuits, and I was just putting the trout on 
the fire when we heard you.” 

Well, put ’em on, then. You can’t get 
them cooked too soon to suit me,” and Bob 
sat down in his tent and began pulling off his 
boots. Gee, but I’m tired,” he said. 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Did you see any tracks ? asked Macklin 
when they were deep in the problem of 
supper. 

Yes, a good many. But I patrolled that 
old swamp religiously for seven hours and 
didn’t see horn nor hide.” 

Were you at the upper end ? ” 

Yes. Tom took the lower and managed 
to get lost twice in the same place,” and Bob 
chuckled. 

“ Twice in the same place ? ” chorused the 
others. Tell us about it.” 

So Tom for the second time related his ex- 
perience, and when he came to his later en- 
counter with the slashing and consequent 
bewilderment, Foster could not forbear teas- 
ing him. 

“ Nice woodsman you must be. What was 
there to be scared about, anyway ? You ought 
to have kept your head.” 

That’s all very well,” said Tom. “ It’s 
easy enough to talk when you’re safe in 
camp. But you try it alone. I know I lost 
my head ” 

I should say you did,” interrupted Foster. 

142 


OUT OF THE WOODS 


** I'm not so sure," said Bob, helping him- 
self to one of Foster's biscuits. There's no 
shame in getting lost. The best woodsman 
does that at times. The test is to think the 
situation out. I think Tom kept his head 
mighty well, and showed pretty good grit." 

Bob turned again to his supper. Then as 
he bit into the biscuit : 

At all events he showed that his courage 
wasn't of the half-baked sort, Joe," he added 
with a grin, “ like these biscuits of yours." 


H3 


CHAPTER X 


MOOSE I 

Several days passed, and their hunting 
brought no results, though at least two of 
them spent the daylight hours on the swamp, 
and let no weariness of spirit interfere with a 
thorough performance of that duty. Bob 
began to take stock of his provisions with an 
anxious eye. The fishing had proved a dis- 
appointment ; seldom were enough trout 
killed in a day to provide for more than one 
meal, and as partridges were equally scarce, 
the bacon and flour had had to bear the brunt 
of the voracious appetites engendered by their 
healthy life. As Bob had outfitted with the 
expectation of getting game quickly, as 
indeed he was forced to do, seeing that there 
was a limit to the burden the most willing 
back could bear, these unexpected inroads on 
the larder had reduced the supply of staples 
to a low ebb. 


144 


MOOSE! 


If we don’t get game soon/’ he announced 
one night at supper, when Foster was com- 
plaining that he was still hungry, I shall 
have to cut down your rations.” 

A howl of protest greeted the words. 

“ Cut ’em down ? Why, they have reached 
the vanishing point already.” 

“ I have taken up my belt two holes,” said 
Foster. 

Have you ? ” retorted Bob, with an exag- 
gerated air of interest. “ Just listen. Mack. 
We’ve taken two inches off Joe’s waist-line 
already. Why, if this keeps up, we’ll have 
him in first-class shape before we get home. 
That’s good work,” he said turning again to 
Foster. Restrain your appetite, and you’ll 
get rid of all that fat without trouble.” 

The others laughed. 

‘ Nobody loves a fat man,’ ” quoted Mack- 
lin with a grin. “ You won’t get any sympa- 
thy here.” 

** But,” Bob went on, becoming serious 
again, “ things are beginning to look bad. 
We can’t stay on here till everything is eaten 
up. Remember, we have a four or five days’ 
H5 


A GRADUATE COACH 


journey ahead of us. At the rate we are eat- 
ing now we will have to start home in a couple 
of days, or else put some restraint on our ap- 
petites.’^ 

You’re the boss,” said Macklin. I’ll 
back you up in whatever you decide to do.” 

Well, then, beginning with to-morrow 
don’t complain if you leave the table hungry. 
I’m going to put on the screws.” 

Foster’s dreams that night were of food, 
which continually being placed before him in 
appetizing array was as invariably snatched 
from his grasp as he was about to taste of it. 
He was awakened from such an unsatisfactory 
situation by hearing Macklin’s voice calling: 

What has become of Bob ? Does any one 
know ? ” 

Why, isn’t he in his tent ? ” asked Ben- 
son coming out of his. 

‘*No. Vanished. I didn’t hear him leave, 
either.” 

What time is it? ” 

”Just after six. Hello, his rifle is gone,” 
added Macklin, who was rummaging in the 
tent. Must have gone hunting.” 

146 


MOOSE! 


He evidently is getting hungry/^ remarked 
Foster sleepily from his blankets. 

“ It won’t be your fault if we don’t all go 
hungry, you lazy beggar,” retorted Macklin. 
“ Get up and do some work.” 

Oh, what’s the hurry ? I’m very com- 
fortable.” 

Out of patience, Macklin seized a pail and 
started for the lake accompanied by Benson. 

Hope Bob gets something,” the latter re- 
marked as he squatted down on the shore and 
began washing his face. 

Same here. I’d hate to leave before our 
time is up. What’s that ? ” 

The exclamation was caused by the sound 
of a rifle in the distance, somewhere on the 
Chienne, the report traveling clearly over the 
water. 

They both listened intently. He got 
him,” said Macklin with conviction, ^'or we 
would hear another shot.” 

The words had barely cleared his lips when 
four more shots rang out, slowly and method- 
ically as though the marksman were shooting 
at a target. Then silence. 

H7 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Missed him,” said Macklin disgustedly. 

Bob had formed the plan over night to get 
up early, before daylight, and, taking a canoe, 
drift slowly down the Chienne, on the chance 
of coming on some game at dawn. Having 
the faculty of making his mind its own alarm- 
clock, he had been enabled to creep out of the 
tent without awaking Macklin. His dressing 
consisted of pulling on his boots, for the night 
being cold he had clad himself in every gar- 
ment he possessed before sleeping. He picked 
up his rifle, and stole softly down to the lake, 
filling his magazine as he went. 

Sitting in the stern, having placed a large 
stone in the bow to balance his weight, he sent 
the canoe gliding softly over the mirrored 
waters with long, silent strokes. As he neared 
the outlet the current took him, so stopping 
the paddling, he contented himself with an 
occasional stroke to keep his craft straight. 

Thus he drifted on, an occasional lily-pad 
brushing harshly against the canoe or the plop 
of an alarmed frog diving from his green 
chair to safety being the only sounds that 
broke the silence. 


148 



J^E LOOKED IMMENSE 





MOOSE! 


Bob went down the stream for two miles or 
more, and then as the sky was well alight 
with the coming dawn, turned back, disgusted 
with his non-success, for he had set his heart 
upon surprising the camp with some fresh 
meat. 

He had covered but a short distance when 
he entered upon that part of the stream which, 
widening, formed the little cove where he was 
accustomed to leave his canoe, and there upon 
the low lying point, by the lone tree which 
had told Benson of his safety, stood a bull 
moose. 

Bob was too far off, two hundred yards or 
more, to judge accurately of the animal’s size, 
but in the half light he looked immense ; his 
black bulk losing its outlines against the 
somber trees. Once Bob made sure of the 
presence of antlers he wasted no time in de- 
bating their size. It was meat he was after 
now and not a trophy, and there was no ques- 
tion that the animal before him would supply 
all the steaks they could eat, and more. 

The wind was fortunately quartering from 
his quarry to him, and he at once drove the 
149 


A GRADUATE COACH 


canoe up-stream, hoping to get within easy 
range before the moose discovered him. This 
was the more important as a quick glance at 
either shore showed him that he would have 
to shoot from the canoe, the la}’^ of the land 
making it impractical to get a shot from the 
bank. 

In hoping to remain undiscovered, he was 
disappointed, for he had not covered twenty 
yards when the moose, which up to this time 
had been broadside to him, shifted uneasily 
for a moment and then turned and faced him. 

Bob held his breath and remained motion- 
less for a long moment till the moose swung 
his head. Bob seized the opportunity to 
make half a dozen quick but silent strokes. 
Then he laid down the paddle and reached for 
his rifle. 

The instant he loosed control of the canoe, 
the wind and current took charge, bearing him 
slowly backward and turning the canoe on its 
axis. This made shooting difficult, but tak- 
ing the best aim he could he fired. The 
moose hunched its shoulders but did not 
move. Again he fired and the moose^ after a 
150 


MOOSE! 


long stare moved slowly off toward the forest, 
stopping at intervals to take another look at 
this intruder who belched fireworks. His 
broadside now gave Bob a better chance, and 
aiming quickly at the shoulder he again pulled 
the trigger. The moose continued his orderly 
way to cover. 

Disgusted, Bob seized his paddle, and 
bringing the canoe round paddled vigorously 
toward the point. The moose broke into a 
trot as the sound reached him, and in despair 
Bob took another shot ; then, just as the 
moose disappeared in the trees, fired his last 
cartridge. As the echoes of the report died 
away he heard the moose moving behind the 
leafy screen, but pursuit was hopeless, and he 
dropped his useless rifle with a malediction. 

I must have touched him that time ; he 
hunched up. I couldnT miss him clean five 
times ! '' 

Without ammunition, however, there was 
no more to be done and with many a back- 
ward glance of regret at the spot where he last 
saw the moose he paddled toward camp. 

If I had only taken Mack with me to 

151 


A GRADUATE COACH 


handle the canoe/^ he thought, “ I would have 
killed him,” in which indeed there was some 
grain of truth, for the drifting of the canoe 
had been a heavy handicap to a true aim. 

It was with a heavy heart he saw his friends 
lined up on the beach waiting his arrival. 
He tried to soften the blow of his non-success 
while still some way distant by a disconsolate 
shake of the head, but either they misunder- 
stood him or refused to allow their hope to die, 
for Macklin hailed him with, ‘‘ Where is 
he?” 

Bob drove the canoe ashore with a vicious 
stroke, and said, Missed him.” 

“ What was the trouble ? ” 

Oh, I don't know. Bad shooting, I sup- 
pose. The canoe was drifting, but I should 
have gotten him, anyway. Is breakfast 
ready ? ” 

“Big one?” persisted Macklin anxious to 
hear the particulars even though the fresh 
meat was probably by now miles away in the 
forest. 

“ Fair sized bull moose. Couldn't gauge 
his spread very well.” 


152 


MOOSE! 


Moose ejaculated Macklin. ''I didn't 
know that there were any 'round here.” 

Neither did I,” said Bob. I was much 
surprised when I saw him. Caribou and 
moose won't stay in the same country. But I 
suppose that explains our non-success. Cari- 
bou are moving out ; moose are moving in. 
That often happens. But it is the first moose 
I have ever seen in this country.” 

“ Too bad you missed him,” said Foster. 

“ Yes, Joe. I'm mighty sorry for your sake. 
I wanted to save you the pain of half rations 
if possible. But there is always the silver lin- 
ing. Remember your waist line ! ” 

Bob was unusually thoughtful during break- 
fast, and when he had finished called Macklin 
aside. 

Do you want to go down there and look 
the place over ? ” he asked. I somehow feel 
sure I wounded him, and it might be possible 
to track him down. Get your gun.” 

They disembarked on the point and Bob led 
the way to where he had first seen the moose. 

It was just about here. Yes, here's his 
mark. By Jove, I was right I ” 

153 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Macklin hurried to where Bob was standing 
pointing triumphantly to something at his 
feet which the grass hid from the former’s gaze. 

Blood, by heck I ” said Macklin, much ex- 
cited. “ And quite a lot of it. Let’s track it 
out.” 

They took the trail, and for some yards had 
no difficulty in following it through the 
trampled grass, though there was no further 
sign of blood. But as they proceeded the 
ground became torn up by a multitude of 
tracks pointing in all directions, which effec- 
tually prevented any further reading of the 
trail. They were by this time near the edge 
of the woods, and feeling that time was valu- 
able, Bob suggested separating. 

You go down a bit, Avhile I go up. Walk 
a bit into the woods and see if you can cut his 
trail. I’ll do the same.” 

With his rifle ready for quick action, for a 
wounded moose is no enemy to encounter un- 
prepared, Bob made the little detour he had 
suggested and entered the forest. The mold 
covered floor of the woods was destitute of 
tracks, and he moved along cautiously, study- 
154 


MOOSE! 


ing the ground and at the same time keeping 
a wary lookout for the animal itself. Soon he 
heard a crackling ahead of him, and he 
stopped to listen, but it was only Macklin, 
who had stepped on a dried stick and now 
came into view. 

Nothing doing, I'm afraid," said Bob in a 
low tone as he joined his companion, but at 
the very word, a snort, a very bellow of rage, 
sounded in his ear and turning quickly he 
confronted the immense form of the moose, 
not twenty feet away, rising from behind a 
bush, with bloodshot eyes, bristling mane, and 
looking, as Macklin described it afterward, 
like the very old boy himself." 

The distance was too short to miss, and 
Bob's shot rang out almost before he had com- 
pleted his turn. A moment later, Macklin, 
whom the unexpected sight had paralyzed for 
an instant, also fired, and the huge creature 
sank down once more behind his protecting 
bush. 

Bob had instantly thrown another shell 
into the barrel and now advanced step by 
step, ready to fire again if necessary. But the 

155 


A GRADUATE COACH 


two bullets had done their work. The moose 
was dead. 

They shook hands excitedly. ‘‘ Weren’t 
you scared for a moment? I was.” 

“ You bet. Scared to death I ” 

“ But we’ve got him.” 

We sure have.” 

Eats at last I ” 

When the first transport of pleasure had 
died down, Bob examined the body to see the 
effect of his shots. 

These two are the ones we just fired,” he 
said pointing to two bullet holes in the neck 
and shoulder. And this one, which has bled 
so freely, must be my first shot when he 
hunched himself. There was nothing vital 
about it, though. I wonder what shot crippled 
him.” 

He searched the hide carefully, but not un- 
til he came to the hind quarters did he find 
the answer. 

'' See, Mack, here right by the tail. It must 
have been my last shot, just as he was going 
in the woods. The bullet must have ranged 
right through him.” 


156 


MOOSE! 


Lucky shot/’ commented Macklin. 

“ It sure was/’ and Bob stood admiring the 
black coat. ** Not much of a head/’ he said 
critically ; pretty small ; in fact, won’t run 
forty inches. But,” and Bob laid emphasis 
on the word, he represents food I You 
paddle back and get the others. Mack ; bring 
the axes with you, and I’ll wait here and 
make a start in getting off the hide.” 

Then as Frank pushed off he called after 
him : 

** Tell Foster that I’ll fill his little tummy 
full to-night with moose steak smothered 
in onions. Don’t forget that — moose steak 
smothered in onions — and he will come with 
you on the run.” 


157 


CHAPTER XI 


FOSTER FILLS UP 

** He’s a beauty, isn’t he? ” 

Just look at his chin whiskers ! ” 

“ That is generally termed a bell.” 

“What, this thing?” said Foster, taking 
hold of the growth which hung from the 
lower jaw. 

“Yes. It’s a good one, too. Must be a foot 
long.” 

The four friends were gathered round the 
carcass, Macklin having found the others in 
camp, and hurried them back to the scene of 
victory. True to Bob’s prophecy, Foster led 
the others in eagerness. The size of the animal 
as he lay huddled in the underbrush was a 
revelation to the novices, and his weight, 
when under Bob’s direction they endeavored 
to turn him over to facilitate skinning, was no 
less so. 

When left alone by Macklin’s departure for 

.58 


FOSTER FILLS UP 


camp, Bob’s first act had been to bleed the 
moose by thrusting his knife upward just 
in front of the breastbone and giving it a 
sharp twist, thus cutting the main blood 
vessels. Then he made a cut through the 
hide at this point, and carried it up over the 
shoulder to the backbone, thus severing the 
head-skin from the rest of the hide on the 
side uppermost. Then, with difficulty, for 
the hide was tremendously thick and tough, 
he made a cut down the inside of each leg and 
along the belly. Then cutting the legs off 
at the knee-joint he began prying the skin 
from the body with clenched fist, using his 
knife only where the hide refused to come 
away. 

He was engaged in this work when the 
others arrived, and then with their help the 
work went on more speedily. 

Bob’s first operation was to remove the 
head, which he did by cutting through to the 
backbone and severing the vertebrae nearest 
the skull with the axe ; the rest was easy. 

“ This is about all I can do now until we 
get him turned over,” said Bob wiping the 

159 


A GRADUATE COACH 


sweat from his forehead with an equally moist 
forearm. You two get hold of his hind leg 
while Tom and I take the front one. Are you 
ready ? Now, all together.” 

They gave a strong heave. For a moment 
the moose refused to budge, then his great 
bulk began to turn. Grunting, pulling, they 
had almost persuaded the body to turn over 
when Foster lost his footing, seemed unable 
to regain it, and loosed his hold. The others, 
taken at a disadvantage, were unable to adjust 
themselves to the extra work, and the moose 
subsided into its original position. 

Confound you, Joe I What did you have 
to slip for ? ” asked Macklin wrathfully as he 
stood up breathing heavily. “ Couldn't you 
have held on ? ” 

Bob said nothing, but stood considering. 

Take a half hitch round that hind leg,” 
he said, with this thong, and then carry it 
round that tree. Then we can keep what we 
gain. Stand by now, Tom.” 

The other three lifted the moose, and Tom, 
taking a turn round the tree, held the advan- 
tage gained. 

160 


FOSTER FILLS UP 

** Now again I That’s the way. Once more. 
Steady there ! There she goes I ” 

Bob’s voice rose in triumph as the carcass 
wavered a moment and then toppled over on 
the other side. 

That’s good I ” he said, and began afresh 
on the hide. 

That finished at last he began with the aid 
of an axe to butcher the carcass. 

The haunches and sirloins were quickly 
secured, but the liver, which on Foster’s plead- 
ing Bob agreed to keep, took some getting at, 
and the sun announced midday before Bob 
had finished. 

I’m glad that’s done,” he said with relief 
as the meat was placed in the canoe. “ I’ll 
skin the head in camp.” 

After lunch, for which their morning’s 
work had provided ravenous appetites, Bob 
set to work on skinning out the head, while 
the others went fishing. 

“ Don’t forget that steak you promised me,” 
said Foster as he picked up his rod. 

No, indeed. If you get some fish we can 
have a course dinner.” 

i6i 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Fine ! 

Foster smacked his lips and departed. 

Bob first hung the head up at a conve- 
nient height, and then cut round the base of 
the antlers. He then stripped the skin care- 
fully off the skull, taking pains not to cut 
the thin membrane of the eyelids and lips. 
This was a delicate job, and he took his time 
over it, making sure that each stroke of the 
knife was true, for a slip would have been 
disastrous. When the skin was severed from 
the skull he dissected the ears, which he had 
cut off close to the skull, then, leaving the 
skin turned inside out, he rubbed it liberally 
with salt, and hung it in the shade to dry. 

The next step was to stretch the hide, which 
with Macklin^s help he did, the latter having 
stayed in camp for the purpose. They accom- 
plished this by lacing the edge with cord and 
fastening it between two saplings, the spring 
of the latter helping to hold the hide taut. 
Then Bob went over the whole surface care- 
fully with his knife, cutting away all flesh and 
fat which the original hurried skinning had 
left adhering to it. The stretching of the 
162 


FOSTER FILLS UP 


hide made this task easier. Then the salt 
again, which he rubbed in with plenty of 
“ elbow grease,'* after which he loosened the 
thongs and left the hide hanging, spread out 
but loose. 

The skull next claimed his attention. All 
the flesh had to be cut away, and the brains 
removed. 

“ Can I help you any further. Bob? ” Mack- 
lin asked as he watched the last process. 

No, I think not. Why ? " 

** I thought I would take a stroll and try 
to pick up a partridge or two.'' 

“ Good idea. Run along. I can finish this 
alone, all right." 

Taking a small stick he worked it round in 
the brain cavity until he had broken up the 
contents, and then with the aid of some water 
washed them out. 

** There," he said, “ that's finished, thank 
goodness." And he went down to the lake, 
stripped himself to the waist and washed off 
the plentiful marks of his labors. 

I might as well start getting supper 
ready," he thought, looking at the sun. 
163 


A GRADUATE COACH 

They ^11 be back soon, and clamoring for 
food.’’ 

He had just mixed the batter for a large 
johnny-cake when Macklin returned in great 
glee with seven partridges. 

Caesar’s ghost I Where did you get that 
bunch ? ” exclaimed Bob, nearly dropping the 
mixing pan in his surprise. 

Pretty fine, eh I ” said Macklin, holding 
them up. Fat as butter, all of ’em. Ran 
right into ’em on the trail not half a mile 
from here. The first four were easy, but the 
others scattered a bit, and it took some hunt- 
ing to spot them.” 

They are nice birds,” agreed Bob examin- 
ing them. “ Shall we have them for sup- 
per ? ” 

Sure ! ” 

Get to work then, and pick them. Go off 
in the woods a bit, so the feathers won’t get 
over everything.” 

“ Here come the others,” he remarked a 
little later, as he poured the batter into the 
baking pan and set it aside. Any luck ? ” 

Best yet 1 ” shouted Foster. Look what 
164 


FOSTER FILLS UP 


I brought you for supper.” And he held up 
a string of trout — a dozen or more. 

‘‘ Never saw anything like it,” he said. 

They were just mad for the fly. I got two 
doubles and Tom got a triple. All over a 
pound.” 

“ Why didn't you bring more,” said Mack- 
lin, “ if they were so plentiful?” 

“ I wanted to,” acknowledged Benson, ^‘but 
Joe was afraid there would not be time to 
cook them for supper. So he would not 
wait.” 

“ Well, Joe's appetite did him a good turn 
this time. That's quite enough, considering 
the meat we have in camp,” broke in Bob in 
the midst of the laugh at Foster's expense. 

We don't want to be game hogs.” 

“ What have you got there. Mack ? ” asked 
Tom. 

Partridges.” 

‘‘ Partridges ? We certainly are going to 
have a good dinner.” 

It never rains but it pours,” remarked 
Bob. The mere idea of cooking all this food 
makes me ill I ” 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** What are you going to give us ? ” asked 
Foster. 

Well/' said Bob sitting down for a mo- 
ment, how about this ? For a starter, I 
thought we would have the trout, fried. 
That will be your duty, Foster, since you 
caught them. Then moose steak, fried in its 
own grease on a very hot pan, and smothered 
in onions and a certain rich gravy I know 
how to make. Macaroni on the side. Then 
partridges — split and broiled, with bacon. For 
dessert apple sauce. Johnny-cake and coffee 
to go with each course. How does that 
sound ? " 

You overpower me, Mr. Walters. This is 
too much I " 

“ A very tasty meal. It sounds good to 
me.” 

“ Well then, everybody get busy. The food 
won't cook itself,'' said Bob, jumping up. 

Got those birds cleaned yet. Mack ? '' 

While the others went about their duties. 
Bob placed the reflector in front of the fire 
and put the cake in to bake. 

He cut eight small steaks, pounded them 
166 


FOSTER FILLS UP 


with the flat of the axe, for such freshly 
killed meat was sure to be tough, and then 
put his frying-pan on to heat while he sliced 
some onions. When the pan was red-hot he 
put in the meat, searing it well on both sides 
to keep in the natural juices. Then taking 
another pan he burnt some sugar in it, added 
a little water, put in a chopped up kidney, 
thickened the mess with flour and water — 
seasoned it heavily, and after stirring well, 
allowed it to simmer slowly. When the 
steaks were nearly cooked he dropped in the 
onions, which browned quickly in the juices ; 
then he took the frying-pans off and laid them 
where they would keep warm. 

A sliver of wood stuck in the johnny-cake 
came out clean, which showed it was done, 
and he moved the reflector out of the direct 
heat. 

“ Trout are ready, said Foster. ** Ring the 
dinner-bell ! ” 

When justice had been done to that dish. 
Bob poured his gravy over the steaks and 
brought them sizzling hot to the table. 

You certainly can cook. Bob ! ” said 
167 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Macklin as his teeth closed over a luscious 
morsel. This gravy is delicious.’^ 

“Bully/’ grunted Foster, who was paying 
strict attention to his plate. 

The partridges were also voted a success, 
though Foster rather grumbled that Mack- 
lin should have cooked but four instead of 
seven. 

“ Not hungry still, are you? ” asked Bob. 

“ Sure I ” 

“ Then fill up on the apple sauce and the 
remains of the johnny-cake. You can have 
my share, you insatiable quicksand.” 

Even Foster was at last gorged, and with 
a common desire for rest they all stretched out 
on the ground and watched the jays come 
hopping from branch to branch, looking for 
plunder. 

“ That was a mighty fine meal,” murmured 
Foster drowsily. “ Mighty fine.” 

And if the grunts that came from the others 
could be taken as a sign of agreement, there 
could be no doubt as to their enthusiastic as- 
sent to the sentiment. 

For a while a deep silence brooded over the 
168 


FOSTER FILLS UP 


camp. No one seemed to have energy to 
speak, much less move, until Foster, rousing 
himself from the pleasant contemplation of 
the tidbits just consumed, turned his thoughts 
to the morrow. 

I suppose you will give us liver and bacon 
for breakfast. Bob ? he said. 

** That is too much ! said the outraged 
Bob. “ Let’s pig-pile him,” and the others, 
nothing loath, proceeded to sit upon the un- 
fortunate speaker and roll him in the dust. 

For the love of Mike, boys, be reason- 
able I ” Foster managed to say at last, and the 
laughter of the others broke up the attack. 

But they did have liver and bacon the next 
morning, and for several days were so busy 
eating and inventing new dishes that further 
hunting was impossible. 

Well, fellows,” said Bob one afternoon, 
it’s about time to think of making a move 
for home. Macklin and I will have to be on 
hand early to look over the squad and put 
them through their paces. College opens in 
ten days, and it will take us six to get to 
Warrington. How about it ? ” 

169 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** I suppose we have to. But I hate to 
leave here. It^s been mighty pleasant.” 

I hate the idea of the tump-line,” said 
Foster. My neck is just getting back to 
normal.” 

It will go easier this time. You will be 
used to it, and the packs will be lighter.” 

“ Are we going back the same way ? ” asked 
Tom. 

** Yes, I think so. There are a couple of 
other routes we can take, though, if you'd 
rather.” 

“ Will they avoid the Chienne ? ” asked 
Macklin hopefully. 

'' No. We have to tackle the Chienne any- 
way. Well, we needn't decide now. Wait 
till we get to where the trail branches. Shall 
we start to-morrow ? ” 

The start was agreed upon, and the rest of 
the afternoon was busily employed in getting 
their duffle ready. Bob cut off enough meat 
to last for the trip and tied it up carefully in 
a bit of sacking. He cooked an extra johnny- 
cake. So we can have it cold for lunch to- 
morrow,” he explained, and looking over the 
170 


FOSTER FILLS UP 


supplies left behind what they would not 
need. No use lugging this food home.” 

Foster watched this operation with an 
anxious eye, fearful that Bob intended to 
put them on half rations, but his brow grad^ 
ually cleared as the pile of food to be taken 
grew. 

Sure that will last us ? ” he asked never- 
theless, and was only half satisfied at Bob’s 
assurance of plenty. 

With the thought of the hard work ahead 
in their minds they turned into their blankets 
early, but sleep did not come at once, regret 
at leaving being uppermost in every one’s 
brain. 

Of late they had been rising leisurely so 
that* the abrupt summons that Bob gave at 
four the next morning found the others 
heavily asleep and very much disinclined to 
leave their warm nooks. But Bob was in- 
sistent, and at last got the camp moving. 
Breakfast was a quick affair, in sharp contrast 
to the luxurious meal they had been making 
it, but hurry as they might it was well on 
toward seven before the last pack was made 
171 


A GRADUATE COACH 


up, carried down to the lake and put in the 
canoes. 

All aboard, fellows I said Bob, setting his 
canoe afloat. “ Here’s where we say good-bye 
to the old camp I ” 


172 


CHAPTER XII 


THE LOST TRAIL 

The trip up the Chienne was no better and 
no worse than the trip down, except that there 
were no windfalls to clear away, and the day 
was fine. 

Thanks to their early start they had put the 
irritation of the stream some miles behind 
them before Bob called a halt for lunch, and 
though the idle weeks in camp had softened 
their neck muscles somewhat, none had 
found the morning’s work exhausting. Con- 
sequently they joked and laughed and ate the 
cold meal with relish. 

** I am glad the old Chienne is behind us,” 
said Benson. I’m not anxious to buck her 
vagaries again just now.” 

Good practice for Essex, Tom,” said Bob. 

It won’t be many days now before you will 
be digging your nose in the dirt and wishing 

173 


4 


A GRADUATE COACH 


you had the chance to carry a pack again, in- 
stead/^ 

Not on your life. I’m getting keen to feel 
the pigskin again, and tumble round in the 
mud.” 

“ So am I,” said Bob unthinking, and then 
fell silent as he realized with a pang that his 
football days were over, and as coach his place 
would be on the side lines. 

Going to miss it. Bob ?” asked Macklin 
quietly, as he guessed his companion’s thought. 

Yes. It will come hard not to be in the 
middle of it,” acknowledged Bob with a sigh. 

However,” he added with an effort at cheer- 
fulness, I won’t have to go into training. 
That’s where I have one on Foster,” and he 
shouldered his pack, in the midst of the laugh 
that followed. “ En Avant ! Forward ! ” 

The second day’s travel found them at the 
branching of the trail. 

Bob called a council of war. 

We can go on as we came,” he said, ** or 
take this trail to the left. It was a good one 
two years ago, and we avoid that steep climb. 
What do you say ? ” 


174 


THE LOST TRAIL 


“ I^m for it/' said Macklin at once. It 
will give us variety." 

“ Is it any longer ? " asked Benson. 

No, about the same." 

Oh, I vote we take it," broke in Joe im- 
patiently. It can't be any harder than the 
one we came up by." 

All right, then ; here goes," and Bob 
swung off to the left. As the day grew older, 
the sky became overclouded and soon they 
were Jacing a drizzling rain, which quickly 
made the trail slippery. 

They crossed one small lake, hardly more 
than a pond, and then when they had gone 
another mile discovered that the trail had 
evidently been lately used for lumbering. 
More than once Bob came to a halt in per- 
plexity, at a loss to know which of two paths 
to take, so changed was the nature of the 
country by the felling of trees, and the num- 
ber of tote roads which had been cut through 
the forest in preparation for the hauling of logs 
when winter should arrive. 

However, he pressed on, not yielding to his 
misgivings, but wishing for a companion with 

175 


A GRADUATE COACH 


whom to consult and divide the responsibility. 
But Macklin had never taken this route, and of 
course he could expect no aid from the others. 

At length Bob’s path was barred by fallen 
timber, and when having put down his pack 
and scouted ahead he could find no continua- 
tion of the trail he was forced to admit to the 
others that he had taken a wrong turning 
somewhere. 

“ What had we better do ? ” Macklin put 
the question as they crowded under the canoes 
to escape the rain. 

“ Eat lunch while we decide,” suggested 
Foster, and for once his thought of food was 
received in good part and without laughter. 
Accordingly Bob got out a scanty supply, and 
while they chewed, they talked. 

'' Back trail is my only suggestion,” said 
Bob. I remember we passed a road a quarter 
mile or so behind us. That ought to lead 
somewhere. We can't go on this way, that is 
certain.” 

What are we heading for?” asked Tom. 

“ There should be a lake a mile ahead. 
Well, let’s get moving.” 

176 


THE LOST TRAIL 


The packs seemed to grow heavier as they 
retraced their steps and a gloomy silence 
settled over the party. However, when they 
reached the fork and took the new trail, the 
feeling that they were at least going ahead 
cheered them somewhat. After walking half 
a mile and finding no lake Bob called another 
halt, and, dropping his pack, went ahead to 
look for it. 

In a few minutes he came hurrying back. 

Water just ahead, fellows. We are on the 
right trail at last.” 

But his cheerfulness was premature. In his 
relief at sighting water through the trees, he 
had not gone all the way to the lake, but had 
taken for granted it was the one he was look- 
ing for. Consequently his chagrin was the 
deeper when, on stepping down to the shore, 
he found himself staring, not at the big stretch 
of water he had confidently expected to see, 
but a small circular lake not a quarter mile in 
diameter. 

The deuce ! This isn^t the place,” he said. 

We're wrong again.” 

“ Where are we ? ” 


177 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Blessed if I know,” Bob replied. I have 
never been here before — I know that.” 

Foster put down his pack with a sullen 
air, and sat on it, as if to say, ‘‘You’ve got us 
into this scrape, now get us out. It’s none of 
my affair.” 

“ What are we going to do?” 

Bob thought for a moment without replying, 
his lips firmly compressed. 

“ There is only one thing we can do,” he 
said in a determined manner. ‘‘ Camp here 
for the night.” 

He turned to Macklin. ‘‘ If you and Joe 
will make camp, I’ll take Tom and back trail 
to that lumber shanty we passed this morning. 
Perhaps I can get some information.” 

“ It seems to me that’s a forlorn hope,” said 
Foster. “ Why not turn right about face and 
go back to where we left the other trail ? I’m 
tired of trailing ’round and not getting any- 
where.” 

Bob swung around on him. 

“ Of course it’s a question for us all to de- 
cide, but I hate to go back when I’m sure we 
must be near the right trail.” 

178 


THE LOST TRAIL 


** Why not do as Bob suggests ? broke in 
Benson. “ If we can’t get the information we 
want, we can always go back in the morning. 
I for one don’t want to give up without one 
more try.” 

So it was decided, and Bob and Tom swung 
off down the trail, leaving the others to make 
camp. 

** Gee, it’s nice to walk along this way with- 
out a pack,” said Tom after they had gone 
some distance. “ I feel unusually light on 
my feet.” 

They came to the lumber camp in a sur- 
prisingly short time, seeing that it had taken 
the better part of a day to cover the same dis- 
tance while laden. 

The shanty was a log affair, the cracks 
stuffed with moss and a tar-paper roof. Smoke 
was curling from the chimney. 

‘‘Some one is at home,” said Bob cheerily, 
and was about to knock on the door when he 
was hailed from behind. 

“ Salut,” said the man, giving the customary 
greeting. 

He was a typical French-Canadian lumber- 
179 


A GRADUATE COACH 


man of the poorer sort. Down at the heel, 
unshaved, unwashed, narrow-shouldered ; yet 
withal a pleasant manner and only too wilh 
ing to set les messieurs on the right trail. 

Stolidly he led the way. His direction was 
at right angles to the trail Bob had just 
traveled, and it seemed as though their guide 
must have mistaken their wishes and was 
leading them in the opposite direction. 

At length the trail opened into another, 
much larger and more marked, which twisted 
to the left. 

“ This is the trail you should have taken,*' 
said the guide. The other is used no more." 

Merci, bieu," said Bob, coming to a halt. 

“ Non, monsieur. I will go further," and 
the lumberman set out again at a pace which 
taxed the others to equal. 

At last they came to a small marshy lake, 
the banks of which showed signs of having 
been used as a landing place. 

" The trail, monsieur, continues just across 
there. You will not miss it. The lake you 
are camped on is just here — see? " 

They turned abruptly along the shore and 
180 


THE LOST TRAIL 


in a furlong, Bob, with an exclamation of sur- 
prise, stepped out on the little circular lake 
of their earlier disappointment. 

“ Why, we were nearly right, after all,’^ he 
said. 

“ Yes, monsieur,’^ said their guide smiling. 
“ But it is well to be sure, in the woods. 
Monsieur was right in coming back.^^ 

I am ever so much obliged,’^ said Bob 
diving into his pocket for some money. 
Here is a little present.’^ 

But their guide refused. 

Non, monsieur. It is nothing. Good- 
night.” 

Well,” said Bob nonplussed, iBs very 
kind of you to take all this trouble.” 

Do you like chocolate?” said Tom, sud- 
denly drawing a half-pound cake out of his 
pocket, and tendering it to the lumberman. 

His face broke into a grin. 

Mille merci, monsieur. I have the sweet 
tooth. But can monsieur spare it ? ” 

Yes, indeed ! ” 

The guide pocketed the gift and with a 
bon nuit ” set out on the back trail. 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Good idea of yours, Tom,” said Bob. I 
hated to have him go off without something. 
How did you happen to have it with you ? ” 

I slipped it in my pocket before we left 
the others. I thought we might feel the need 
of something before we got home.” 

Dusk had fallen. Across the lake they 
could see the occasional flicker of the camp- 
flre. Bob gave a loud hallo, and after an 
interval they heard an answering shout 
faintly over the water. They sat down to 
wait, and then the distant dip of a paddle 
gave notice of a canoe’s approach. Soon they 
could see it, ghostlike in the gloom, a dark 
mass indicating Macklin’s presence. 

Hello I ” he said as he drew near peering 
ahead. Is that you. Bob ? ” 

Yes. The two of us.” 

I wasn’t certain at first where the call 
came from. Why didn’t you shout again? ” 

“Got camp fixed up?” asked Bob as they 
were paddling back. 

“ Yes, pretty well. But this mist has kept 
everything so wet that it wasn’t easy. Did 
you And the trail ? ” 


182 


THE LOST TRAIL 


Yes. Our troubles are over. An oblig- 
ing lumberman piloted us to it. It’s just 
down there where we came from, a couple of 
hundred yards.” 

'' That’s fine. I was fearful that we would 
have to go back the whole distance with those 
blessed packs.” 

The camp was a dreary one. The heavy 
rain which had kept up all day had soaked 
the ground, and the heavy mist which had 
succeeded it was little better. 

They ate a cheerless supper in the open 
and changed their soaked clothes for dry ones. 

Their eyes opened to a gray world. The 
rain had commenced again, and the air was 
cold and raw. 

** We really must have some fish this 
morning,” announced Bob. ** Who is going 
to catch them ? ” 

There was a dead silence in camp. 

I’m afraid it is your turn. Mack,” said Bob 
after a pause. 

Macklin groaned. “ Do you mean to say I 
have to go out in this rain, and catch food for 
your breakfast? ” 


183 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** It looks like itT 

“ Well, if I must, I must,^’ said Macklin 
grumbling. I won’t go out in these clothes, 
though. I have to keep one set dry. Throw 
me over those wet things.” 

The touch of the clammy garments against 
his bare skin was too much for Macklin’s 
fortitude. Whew I ” he exclaimed. I can’t 
put those on. They are icy. I’d get a chill.” 

He considered the proposition with a wry 
face, fingering the wet clothes without being 
able to summon up the necessary courage to 
assume them. 

“ Get a move on. Mack ! ” urged Bob. We 
are waiting for those fish.” 

“ All right, you slave-driver. I pity that 
team of ours when you get to bossing it,” 
Macklin exclaimed, jumping up. “ I’ll go as 
nature made me I ” He picked up his rod 
and walked out of the tent. 

“Jumping Julia! You’ll freeze! Don’t 
be an idiot.” 

Macklin struck an heroic attitude. 

“ My demise will rest at your stomachs. 
Duty calls ! ” and he set a canoe afioat. 

184 


THE LOST TRAIL 


Macklin paddled out a few yards and then, 
sitting cross-legged in the bottom, made a 
cast. 

The fish were kind to him. At his second 
cast a trout rose, and in a moment was safely 
aboard. Others soon followed. The lads on 
shore watched the performance with interest, 
but were turning away when Macklin uttered 
a piercing shriek. 

What^s the matter ? called Bob alarmed. 

Ouch I ” was the reply. That darned 
trout took a piece out of my big toe.^^ 

Mistook it for a Brown Hackle, I wager I 
was the unfeeling response. 

Getting cold ? 

“ Naw. Warm as toast. Hi-yi ! 

** What^s wrong now ? ** 

Fish are very clammy when you sit on 
them I One slid down under me.’’ 

Throw him out, then.” 

Not on your life ; it will make him more 
tender ! ” 

The banter continued till Macklin had 
caught enough for a mess and started for 
shore. 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ Regular Greek god/^ commented Bob sar- 
castically, as he watched. 

^^Lunatic at large, corrected Benson. Last 
seen on a Canadian lake.^’ 

That^s a nice return for my unselfish 
labors,'^ said Macklin, stepping ashore. 
“ Here, take your old fish. I'm going to 
dress." 


186 


CHAPTER XIII 


THE BIG LAKE 

Befoke they had finished the last of the 
trout, the sun came peeping through the 
clouds, and when they broke camp, a strong 
west wind had swept the heavens clear, and 
gave promise of continued fine weather. 

They found the trail with little difficulty, 
and in high good spirits trudged along under 
their diminishing packs. Physically, it was a 
different set of men from those who had set 
out nearly three weeks before, and as Bob 
watched his companions, he saw visions of a 
successful football season. 

Macklin wonT be any picnic this fall for 
the man who plays opposite him,^’ he thought 
as he saw the ease with which the tackle 
swung up the canoe, which by reason of recent 
soaking was pounds heavier than usual. 

He's in good shape." 

The relative value of the other two to fill 
187 


A GRADUATE COACH 


the position left vacant by Trelawney at left 
guard was not by any means settled in his 
mind. The greater weight carried by Foster 
was not to be despised, but Bob found himself 
sighing that Benson had not grown heavier, 
which showed his opinion of the mental 
equipment of the rivals. 

They made good progress homeward the 
second day, and the third found them within 
striking distance. 

If this wind holds,^^ said Bob, we may 
get wind-bound on the big lake. It will be 
dead in our teeth. 

“ Oh, we can push through,” said Macklin 
confidently. ” We are all pretty good canoe- 
men now.” 

Bob looked dubious, however, and his face 
did not clear when on arriving at the lake he 
saw the four mile stretch liberally dotted with 
white caps and waves of good size breaking 
into foam at his feet. 

We^ll stop here for lunch, anyway,” he 
said. The wind may fall in an hour or so. 
We have lots of time. The team wonT be there 
to meet us until to-morrow, and it doesn't 
188 


THE BIG LAKE 


make much difference whether we spend the 
night under canvas or in the cabin. There 
is no use in taking unnecessary risks.” 

But the wind did not die down. It blew 
less violently, it is true, but three o^clock came, 
and still the long lake was in a turmoil. The 
others began to get impatient as the time 
passed, and urged a start. 

We can make it all right I ” said Foster. 
‘‘ Let^s get a move on.” 

If we could work over to the lee of the 
shore, we would be safe enough,” agreed Bob. 

But we couldn’t head straight into it. We 
would fill in no time with these loads. We 
have only about four inches of free-board. 
And by the time we edged over, we would be 
through the worst, anyway. It’s the first mile 
I am afraid of.” 

They sat on the wind-swept beach, watch- 
ing the white caps, which diminished in 
number very slowly. At last Bob got up. 

I think we might try it now,” he an- 
nounced with a grave face. But it won’t be 
easy. You’ll have to watch every stroke.” 

With many misgivings, for he felt that he 
189 


A GRADUATE COACH 


had been persuaded into acting against his 
better judgment, Bob gave the word to em- 
bark. 

The start was difficult. The waves were 
still large enough to make the operation of 
launching a heavily loaded canoe without 
shipping much water a nice problem. 

“ You two get in, Mack,^' said Bob, as the 
canoe danced up and down, and Tom and I 
will give you a start.^’ 

What will you do ? queried Macklin. 

Oh, we will manage. We know more 
about it.’^ 

The canoe danced perilously as it met the 
first waves, and Bob, standing in the water, 
expected momentarily to see it broach to, be- 
fore Macklin could get headway on the craft. 
But the first wave was negotiated safely ; the 
second slid underneath, merely flicking a 
quart of white foam over the gunwale in pass- 
ing, as a warning of what it could do if it 
tried, and the canoe hopped over the third 
with some appearance of life. They were 
afloat. 

Hurry now, Tom. We donT want them 
190 


THE BIG LAKE 


to get too big a start on us — in case anything 
happens/^ 

It took all Bob’s watermanship to get his 
canoe afloat without swamping it. The waves 
were so irregular, so broken by the strong 
wind which gave them life that there was 
nothing to be gained for waiting for an open- 
ing. There was none. Twice a wave took 
the bow and swung it around, grounding them 
on the beach ; and each time Bob had to 
jump overboard and set the canoe straight. 

Hold her all you can this time, Tom,” he 
called as he made a third attempt. “ Now, 
all together.” 

For a moment success hung in the balance ; 
the canoe wavered in its course ; then as Bob 
drove his paddle in strongly, it pushed its 
bow through the crest of a wave, spattering 
Tom with spray, and rode buoyantly over an- 
other. 

Good work,” shouted Bob above the 
wind. We are all right now. Just take it 
easy.” 

He saw the other canoe some distance 
ahead, and to his right. Macklin was evi- 

191 


A GRADUATE COACH 


dently losing no time in making for the lee of 
the shore. 

Not too fast/' he cautioned Tom, as the 
canoe threatened to bury her nose in a wave, 
but changed her mind at the last minute and 
charged boldly up its side. “ Slowly does it, 
or we will swamp her. We have to give her 
time to rise to the waves." 

Bob's task was not easy. To keep the 
canoe head on to the waves was not so difficult. 
It required only patience. But to edge her 
over to the shore took a high degree of skill. 
When a lull gave him a chance, he would 
swing the bow around and gain a few coveted 
feet, only to return promptly to the old course 
when a dangerous looking wave approached. 

This operation he repeated a hundred times 
in safety. It required intense concentration, 
and it was but seldqm he could spare a look 
for the other canoe, which seemed to be mak- 
ing heavy weather of it, though thus far safely. 

As they drew out into the wide expanse of 
tumbling waters, the canoes seemed dwarfed 
in size and frail craft indeed for such a pas- 
sage. But Bob knew that the canoes would 
192 


THE BIG LAKE 


not fail if the men wielding the paddles did 
not, and after a time he began to exult in the 
way they rode the waves. 

At last, after what seemed a century of 
effort, they began to get the benefit of the pro- 
tection of the further shore, and then every 
stroke brought them into smoother water, 
until the lake had subsided to a very moder- 
ate sea. 

Bob wanted to relax, but he knew that he 
would get just as wet if they swamped now as 
though it had happened two miles back, and 
he forced himself to redoubled watchfulness, 
for a mistake would still have meant dis- 
aster. 

Tom kept paddling away in the bow like a 
piece of machinery, and after Bob^s first warn- 
ing had judged their pace to a nicety. 

Getting tired ? called Bob as they ap- 
proached the beach. 

“ Won’t be sorry to land,” Tom shouted 
back. ** Legs are asleep.” 

Another moment saw the canoe safely 
beached, and Tom tumbled stiffly out, draw- 
ing the canoe after him. 

m 


A GRADUATE COACH 


The others had landed fifty yards away, and 
had already unloaded the packs and hauled 
their canoe out. 

Kerens where I take a rest I declared Bob, 
stretching out on the sand. I’m tired ! ” 
The others were nothing loath to follow his 
example. The warm sand felt good to their 
tired bodies, and for a time there was silence. 

It was touch and go, there, once or twice,” 
said Macklin reminiscently. “ I edged off too 
much, and had the deuce of a time getting her 
back. I thought she would broach to.” 

It struck me that you were taking risks,” 
said Bob. I noticed you were having 
trouble.” 

Well, all's well that ends well. But I'm 
thinking you were about right in not starting 
two hours ago. I think we would have 
swamped.” 

The delay at the lake and the slow crossing 
had eaten up three hours of precious time, 
so that darkness overtook them some miles 
short of their destination. 

We had better camp,” said Bob. “ There 
are three miles of portage and a mile of lake 

194 


THE BIG LAKE 


yet. We can do it comfortably in the morn- 
ing and be back at St. Pierre by evening. 
How about it ? '' 

The others, though disappointed at not get- 
ting in, agreed, and they prepared to make 
camp for the last time. 

“ It’s been a great trip, hasn’t it ? ” remarked 
Bob to nobody in particular as they lay 
stretched out round the fire after supper. 

Bully I Simply bully I ” said Benson. “ I 
had no idea it could be so much fun. And I 
think I must have put on ten pounds.” 

“ And I have lost that much I ” broke in 
Foster. “ I’m hard as nails.” 

I think we owe a vote of thanks to Bob 
Walters.” This from Macklin. The success 
of the trip has been due to him. We would 
have been babes in the woods without his ex- 
perience.” 

You’re right. No question about that I ” 

Three cheers for Coach Walters ! ” 

The cheers were given banteringly, but Bob 
read the appreciation under the fooling, and 
was grateful. 

If you coach the team through its troubles 

195 


A GRADUATE COACH 


as well as you have coached us, Essex will not 
lift our scalp this year,’’ said Macklin posi- 
tively. 

“ Of course you men realize,” said Bob 
gravely, that since I know what excellent 
condition you are in, I won’t have the slightest 
pity on you. I am going to make you work 
from the word go I ” 

“ That’s not fair,” protested Foster. We 
are your guests up here, and you should never 
use knowledge gained under your own roof- 
tree, so to speak, to your guests’ disadvantage. 
That’s rule No. 1 in the book of etiquette.” 
Your point is well taken,” grinned Bob. 

So I’ll turn you over to McLane, and of 
course if he reports you in perfect physical 
condition, I shall have to act accordingly. I 
can’t help that, can I ? ” 

Hypocrite ! ” was Foster’s answer. 

The fact that it was the last day made their 
next morning’s work both a sadness and an 
irritation. The near approach of civilization 
began to get on their nerves, so that all hailed 
with relief the sight of the little meadow, the 
log cabin and horses cropping the grass. 

196 


THE BIG LAKE 


“ Here we are I Hi-yi-yi-yi ! yelled Bob, 
and two figures could be seen to detach them- 
selves from the background, and come run- 
ning down to the bank, madly waving their 
arms. 

Hello, Pierre. Jean ! How goes it? said 
Bob, as they came within speaking distance. 

Well, well, monsieur I And did you have 
luck? I see. A fine head.^^ 

Fine to carry — I don’t think,” said Foster, 
whose back was still raw from carrying it. 

It was a success, then ? ” 

Yes, Pierre. We had a first-rate time. 
But I’ll tell you all about it as we drive 
along. Let’s get the canoes on the wagon.” 

We expected you last night. We had a 
big blaze, but you did not come. I was afraid 
of trouble, but Jean said, ^No — Monsieur 
Walters can take care of himself.’ ” 

“ Thanks for the compliment, Jean,” said 
Bob laughing. We would have been here, 
but we got hung up on the Big Lake. There 

was a bad wind ” 

Sacr 6 1 That is bad — that lake. She is 
wicked I ” 


197 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Well, she didn’t get us this time, Pierre. 
So don’t worry. Let’s get started.” 

Pierre wanted to know all the particulars of 
the trip, so Bob was kept busy answering 
questions all through the long drive. 

“ Glad to be back, monsieur ? ” asked Pierre 
with a twinkle in his eye. 

“ No, indeed. I hate to leave the forest ; 
and these clothes,” he added as he stretched 
luxuriously. 

“Will you come back next year, do you 
think?” 

“ I don’t know, Pierre. That is on the 
knees of the gods. I’d like to ! ” 

“ Allons, done I ” called Pierre and they de- 
scended the hill on a gallop. 

Except for Pierre’s interminable questions, 
there was little conversation. The others 
were morose at coming home, and were con- 
tent to sit in silence recalling the pleasant 
days of which this was the last. 

“ Almost in, fellows.” Bob turned in his 
seat and called their attention to the church 
spire which rose above the next hill. 

“ What’s that hum I hear ? ” asked Benson. 
198 


THE BIG LAKE 


The sawmill, monsieur. You can hear it 
a long distance.’* 

As they entered the upper end of the village 
the hum rose in key, and at times developed 
into a full grown shriek as the saw encoun- 
tered a knot. 

Here we are,” said Bob as Pierre brought 
his horse to a halt. And there’s old Duval. 
Hello, Monsieur Duval I ” 

The innkeeper came running out as he 
heard the shout, his face beaming with pleasure 
when he saw who hailed him. 

“Eh, Monsieur Walters, I am glad to see 
you. Did you have the good luck ? ” 

“ Pretty fair. One moose. Small, though. 
But we had a fine time.” 

“And the others?” glancing at Foster. 
“ Did they enjoy themselves ? ” 

“ You bet we did,” said Foster heartily. 

“ Well, you must be hungry. I will see 
about supper.” 

“ First get us some hot water. Lots of it. 
Buckets of it,” said Bob. “ I want to wash, 
don’t you, boys? ” 

Yes, and to change our clothes. I didn’t 
199 


A GRADUATE COACH 


appreciate the delicate perfume these garments 
emitted until I got in the house/’ said Mack- 
lin, sniffing the air. 

“ What do 3^ou expect when you have lived 
in the same shirt for three weeks? ” retorted 
Bob as he led the way up-stairs. 

Duval hurried off for the hot water, and by 
the time they had stripped, appeared with a 
couple of pitchers. 

“ This is all we had hot,” he said apologet- 
ically, but I am heating more.” 

All right. Hurry it along 1 ” 

The bathing facilities were scanty, but by 
putting a basin on the floor they managed to 
secure a respectable sponge bath. 

Feels good, doesn’t it? ” said Bob. 

Yes, but just look at my hands.” Macklin 
held them out. Puffed, cracked — why. I’ll 
never get them looking decent again.” 

Oh, don’t worry I There are no girls to 
see them up here.” 

With reluctance they got into civilized 
clothes again. The starched collar choked 
necks accustomed to expand at will ; their feet, 
broadened by the use of moccasins, protested 
200 


THE BIG LAKE 


at being wedged into the narrow prisons of 
fashion, and it was altogether an uncomfort- 
able lot of men who attacked the food Duval 
set before them. 

It doesn't take long for civilized man to 
revert to barbarism," said Bob as he caught 
himself picking up a luscious bone in his 
fingers. “ I'll have to learn table manners all 
over again." 

They were all glad to turn in early, for the 
long ride and the excitement of home coming 
had tired them out. 

But sleep would not come. To Benson it 
seemed as though he were suffocating ; the 
room was close. The small window seemed 
only a mockery, built to emphasize its in- 
adequacy — surely of no practical use. He 
tossed about on his bed. He got up, walked 
to the window and leaned out in envy of the 
cow whose soft breathing he could hear below 
him in the little pasture. 

From the next room he could hear the 
sounds of other restless beings. Foster alone 
seemed asleep. 

I can’t stand this," said Tom, and, yield- 
201 


A GRADUATE COACH 


ing to impulse, picked up his camp blanket 
and tiptoed to the door. In the dark entry 
he nearly collided with another figure. 

Who is that ? 

Is that you, Tom? ” 

You nearly scared me to death. Bob. 
Where are you going ? ” 

CanT sleep. Going out.” 

Same here. Got a blanket ? ” 

** Yes. Come on I ” 

So it was that the next morning Monsieur 
Duval, arising betimes to milk the cow, was 
thrown into peals of laughter by the sight of 
two of his guests, rolled up in blankets, sound 
asleep on the lawn. 


202 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE ‘‘ FIRST CALL 

When the travelers reached New York 
they scattered for a visit to their respective 
homes. 

** I’ll expect to see you next week,” said Bob 
as he shook hands all around. Take care of 
yourselves. Good-bye.” 

He paid a hurried visit to his family, and 
then left for Warrington. There was no time 
to be lost in gathering up the numerous threads 
of his duties, and making a start at welding 
together the organization which the summer 
vacation had pulled asunder. 

His first move, however, was to attend to 
his own affairs, so he walked over to the law 
school, had a chat with the dean, and en- 
rolled himself as a member of the first year 
class. Then he walked over to the dormitories, 
saw the bursar, and leased the same suite of 
rooms he had had in senior year. 

203 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Whom are you rooming with ? asked the 
official with pen poised. 

1 don’t know yet. I’ll have to look 
around a bit. Any of the old crowd 
back?” 

Here is one of them,” said a joyful voice 
in his ear, and he found himself shaking 
Livingston by the hand. ‘‘ Well, well,” said 
the latter, you are as brown as an Indian. 
What have you been doing ? ” 

Oh, making a personally conducted tour 
through the beauties of the Canadian wilder- 
ness. But what are you doing here? No 
chance of your being in the law school, I 
suppose.” 

No, not that, but I have signed up for a 
post-graduate course in English.” 

“ What ! Not really ? That’s bully I ” said 
Bob, bubbling over with pleased surprise. 
Then he turned to the bursar. ‘‘ Put down 
Livingston for a room in that suite.” 

Why, have you rented the old rooms? ” 

“ Sure ! I took an option on ’em last spring. 
Why, we are going to have another great year 
togetlier.” 


204 


THE FIRST CALL^^ 


Who is your third? Not Trelawney, I 
suppose/^ said Livingston smiling. 

“ No, poor Trel is sticking to his banking. 
Becoming quite a financier. Been working 
all summer. But we can pick up some one.^^ 

“ I understand Newton is going into medi- 
cine. How would he do ? ’’ 

“ First-rate, if that’s true. How can we find 
out? 

Oh, we can locate him when he turns up. 
Let’s go up and look things over.” 

Look very familiar, don’t they ? ” said Bob 
as they stood looking at the bare walls. 

We’ll have to get busy and fix things up.” 

How is football ? ” 

” Don’t know much about it yet. Can’t 
tell either till we get the first call out. But I 
have three men who are good.” 

“Who?” 

“ The three I have been teaching woodcraft 
to — Macklin, Benson and Foster.” 

“ Who’s Foster ? Don’t think I know him.” 

“ You wouldn’t be apt to. Sophomore last 
year. Played on his class team. Big man. 
Pretty good. I was looking for some one to 
205 


A GRADUATE COACH 


fill Trel’s place, and I took those two up to 
try them out. Got ’em in fine shape.” 

“ Well,” said Livingston, hope you have 
luck. I have to go down and see about my 
trunks. I left them at the station till I knew 
where to send them.” 

Same here ; but I must go down to the 
field first. See you later.” 

They parted under the tower at the en- 
trance to the Big Quadrangle and Bob pursued 
his way to the gymnasium. 

He found the usually busy place bathed 
in the extreme quiet of a September afternoon 
when unbroken by the human element. 
Leaving the field deserted but for two figures 
at the further end he walked into the dressing- 
rooms. A man bending over a miscellaneous 
collection of worn football clothes was the 
only occupant. 

Busy, Jimmy?” he said, the other not 
having heard his entrance. 

Jimmy jumped. “ Why, cap’en ! ” he said 
standing up. “ You sure startled me.” 

'‘How are things, Jimmy? Ready for 
work again ? ” 


206 


THE FIRST CALL'^ 


Almost. Mr. McLane told me to get out 
all the ould suits. Says we are goin’ to have 
the bunch here in a couple of days.^^ 

“ Yes. That^s right. First call went out 
for Thursday. Just for the old crowd, 
though. College doesn’t open till Friday, I 
believe.” 

That’s so. My, but you are looking fine, 
cap’en. I wisht you was going to play this 
fall.” 

“ So do I, Jimmy,” rejoined Bob with a 
sigh. But you mustn’t be calling me cap 
any more. You’ll be making Macklin jeal- 
ous.” 

Jimmy grinned. I guess he can stand it, 
and it wouldn’t seem natural not to call you 
cap. Not a bit of it, when you were the best 
one we’ve had since I’ve been in charge down 
here.” 

Rubbish ! Is McLane around any- 
where? ” 

He was here just a bit ago. Went up- 
stairs, I think.” 

Bob found McLane just the same small, 
wiry, keen-eyed trainer as ever. After the 
207 


A GRADUATE COACH 


first greetings were over, they plunged at once 
into plans for the season. 

“ We’ve got almost a veteran team this time, 
Mac. So our main problem is going to be in 
keeping them from going stale.” 

Well, you leave that to me, and 1^11 get 
’em out against Essex feeling like a bunch of 
colts. Which old men come back ? ” 

Fox, left end ; Owens and Macklin 
tackles ; Calder, center ; Smith at guard ; 
Dolan full and Fletcher half back. That 
makes a pretty good nucleus.” 

McLane nodded. 

“ Then of course there are the subs. Ben- 
son will make a stab at filling Trel’s place if 
Foster doesn’t beat him to it. Baker for quar- 
ter. Those are the best of the bunch. You 
know we weren’t very well supplied last fall 
with substitutes that were worth their salt. 
The other places are open.” 

There’s Johnnie Stone for the other half,” 
suggested McLane. 

Bob pursed his lips. Y-yes,” he said. 

He’s brilliant enough, but ” His voice 

died away as though he did not care to ex- 
208 


THE FIRST CALL^^ 


press the thought in his mind. At any 
rate,” he continued, “ Stone’s so back in his 
studies that we can’t rely on being able to 
use him. The faculty might yank him out 
at any minute.” 

‘‘ He told me he would work this summer.” 

I hope he did, but I doubt it. Well, we’ll 
start things on Thursday. Macklin will be 
here to-morrow, he told me. So long.” And 
Bob started after his trunks. 

When he returned to his rooms, he found 
that Livingston had run across Newton, and 
persuaded him to join them. 

** Not that he required much persuasion,” 
said Livingston. “ He jumped at the chance.” 

Where is he now ? ” 

Went down to the medical school.” 

Here he is,” said Bob as he heard foot- 
steps on the stairs. Hello, Newt,” he called. 

That’s not my name,” came from the cor- 
ridor and a large bulk filled the doorway. 

“ Trelawney I ” 

That’s what I Large as life and twice as 
natural. How are you. Bob ? Have a good 
trip ? ” 


209 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Fine. You’re looking fat, Trel,” said Bob 
critically. 

Of course I am. When do you suppose 
I’d get the time to exercise, working down in 
that hole from nine to five ? I tell you I en- 
vied you fellows up in the woods, when the 
thermometer climbed over the ninety mark.” 

“ It must have been tough.” 

“ Not up to college, that’s one sure thing. 
Even though I do drag down a salary at the 
end of the month. Well, tell me about your- 
self. I don’t want to talk shop. Dear knows 
I get enough of it down the street ! Same 
old diggings, I see,” he continued looking 
around. “ Who is going to room with you ? ” 

“ Liv and Newt.” 

“Newt?” said Trelawney in surprise. 
“ What branch of the higher education is he 
going to take up ? ” 

“ Medicine.” 

“Medicine? That is a joke. Doc Newt ! 
It is to laugh ! ” 

“ No more of a joke than Banker Tre- 
lawney,” said a voice from the doorway. 
“ Why, Trel, you old stiff, the mere idea of 
210 


THE FIRST CALH^ 


your trying to compute the profit on a hun- 
dred shares of Steel Common, rise one-eighth 
of a point — deduct two months’ interest at 4.4 
gives me a hollow feeling in my little insides. 
You, who could never make two and two 
equal anything but five till Bob showed you 
how.” 

Hold on. Newt,” said Trelawney, grandilo- 
quently. “ You mistake my job. I leave the 
figuring to the clerks. I’m a financier ! You 
forget yourself.” 

Well, whatever you are I’m mighty glad 
to see you. How’ve you been ? ” 

Then without waiting for Trelawney’s reply 
he continued : “ Hog-fat, that’s sure. But 
been enjoying yourself? ” 

Not so you’d notice it. I’ve been work- 
ing.” 

It is not impossible for the two to go 
together,” remarked Livingston sarcastically. 

It is to any one but a high-brow like you,” 
said Trelawney. I’m not speaking of men 
who eat work — whose idea of pleasure is a 
shady nook and a copy of the latest tariff 
schedule.” 


211 


A GRADUATE COACH 


suppose you would fill the shady nook 
with a girl ? said Bob with a grin. 

“ Sure I retorted Trelawney unabashed. 

What else is a nook for ? But to get back 
to you, Newton. Are you really thinking of 
becoming a doctor? 

Yes. I seem to have a turn that way. I 
am going to try it.’’ 

Wish you luck ; but from all I hear, you 
will be sweating blood before you graduate. 
Pretty stiff, isn’t it?” 

Newton nodded. 

” By the way, Bob,” said Trelawney who 
seemed desirous of keeping the floor, I’ve 
got a good man for you. Ames — Gregory 
Ames. Freshman last year, but didn’t come 
out for the team. He’ll make a good man.” 

” Not if he hasn’t more spirit than that,” 
commented Bob. 

” Wasn’t his fault. Son of old man Ames, 
you know. Banker — prominent alumnus and 
all that. Did something or other back in the 
eighties. Standing broad jump or something 
like that. Wouldn’t let Greg play last year. 
Made him study. Great mistake, I think, but 
212 


THE FIRST CHLL” 


you never can tell. Anyway, the old man is 
keen on it this year because Gregory — awful 
name that — studied hard and stood high. 
Asked me to speak to you. Give him a show, 
will you?’’ 

“ Certainly,” said Bob. ** But that’s all I 
can promise you. He’ll have to make good, 
if he wants a place.” 

“ Oh, of course. I wasn’t trying to bribe 
you, you old martinet,” said Trelawney af- 
fectionately. “Just give him a show. He’ll 
make good, or I’m a Dutchman I ” 

“ What does he weigh ? ” 

“ About one-seventy. Nicely put together 
— fast. Make a good half, I think.” 

“ I’ll keep him in mind, Trel. Will he be 
out on Thursday ? ” 

“ First call ? I don’t know if he is home 
yet. But I’ll ’phone out and see.” 

“ You seem on close terms with the Ameses.” 

“ I am. See Mr. Ames down-town every 
day and been out to his house for dinner. 
Treated me like a brick. Only fun I’ve had 
this summer. By the way, when does Mack- 
lin get back ? ” 


213 




A GRADUATE COACH 


“ To-day some time.’^ 

Well, remember me to him. I must be 
off.’’ 

Be out here Thursday ? ” asked Bob. 

Yes, if the financial situation permits 
it,” retorted Trelawney, with a grin. So 
long.” 

“ Doesn’t look any too healthy, does he ? ” 
commented Bob as Trelawney vanished. 

No. Has a pasty look. It will do him a 
world of good to get out this fall and coach. 
You ought to make him do it. Bob.” 

I intend to. Newt. I’ll need him to show 
the linemen a thing or two.” 

Macklin arrived that evening, and the next 
day spent his time closeted with Bob, discuss- 
ing the football situation, comparing notes on 
new plays, and getting out a set of signals. 

“ I was talking to McLane yesterday, 
Frank,” said Bob, when a provisional set of 
signals had been decided on, and we 
agreed that our toughest proposition this fall 
would be keeping the team on edge. Remem- 
ber, we have seven veterans. They are bound 
to go stale unless we use the best kind of judg- 
214 


THE FIRST CALL^' 


ment. Now McLane knows more about that 
than you or I do.” 

“ What are you driving at ?” 

That you put your authority in his hands 
so far as the condition of the men is concerned. 
DonT let's hamper him, even if we feel differ- 
ently. He is more than willing to take the 
full responsibility.” 

Macklin thought for a moment. 

I guess you're right, Bob. I'll try to 
keep my hands off. But it may be hard at 
times.” 

All right, then, that's settled. Now the 
other question is the conflict of authority be- 
tween you and myself. We've got to pull to- 
gether, or the team will go to the dogs.” 

'' Oh, we'll get on all right,” said Macklin 
easily. 

“ I don't doubt it. I'm only preparing for 
emergencies. We might as well thrash out 
any possible differences now.” 

Well?” 

Suppose you think one man deserves a 
place, for instance, and I want to play another. 
Who wins ? ” 


215 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Oh, we would probably agree. We could 
argue it out.” 

Yes, but suppose even then we don’t 
agree ? ” 

Macklin’s lips tightened. His election to 
the captaincy of the Warrington University 
football team was something he took great 
pride in. He did not want to be a mere fig- 
urehead, and yet in his soul he knew Bob 
Walters’ judgment was better than his when 
it came to canvassing a man’s capabilities. 
His pride pulled him one way ; his desire for 
a successful season the other, and the latter 
won. At least he compromised. 

** I have great faith in your judgment. Bob, 
and I expect to rely upon it largely. But I 
can’t turn over the team to you. I’m captain, 
and I mean to be one in more than name. I’ll 
agree to this, though. Where we have simply 
a difference of opinion and neither can con- 
vince the other, my wish goes. But when you 
come to me and say, * Mack, I know so and so 
is the better man,’ why then I yield. Under- 
stand.” 

Bob considered this a moment. 

216 


THE FIRST CALH^ 


That seems satisfactory/^ he said. Let 
it go at thaty^ 

Thursday afternoon saw the usual bustle in 
the gymnasium. Men were falling over each 
other in their endeavor to find their suits and 
get out on the field as quickly as possible. 
The season was officially open. 

Bob and Macklin greeted the old players 
warmly, and went around among the new 
candidates introducing themselves and keep- 
ing an eye open for promising material. 

Smith,” said Bob sternly, “ you are too 
fat.” 

I know it, Walters,” said the right guard. 

Only ten pounds or so, though.” 

** Well, work yourself. Get it off.” 

Fletcher,” he said a moment later, how 
is the leg wehe depending on ? Limber? ” 

Fine as silk. Bob,” said Fletcher laughing. 
“ I took a football away with me this summer 
and practiced punting with my kid brother. 
Think I have added five yards to my dis- 
tance.” 

That’s good work,” said Bob enthusiastic- 
217 


A GRADUATE COACH 


ally clapping him on the back. ^‘That's the 
kind of spirit I like.’^ 

When every one was dressed and out on 
the field, Bob called the squad together. 

Before we begin our work,’^ he said, I 
want to outline the situation. We beat Essex 
last fall, with a green team. And we did it 
because every man worked his hardest. And 
the reason they worked so hard was because 
each man was afraid of losing his place. 

Now we have seven men back this fall 
who played in the Essex game. They are 
what are called veterans. Most of you other 
men probably have the idea that they have 
their positions cinched. That’s all wrong. 
There is not one of them who won’t go by 
the board if one of you shows up better. The 
only advantage they have over you is that 
their ability is known. They get first 
chance. It’s up to you to show your su- 
periority. 

“ Another thing. The mere fact that one 
of you is chasing a veteran for his position 
will make him hustle in a way no coach or 
captain can. So even if you don’t win out, 
218 


THE FIRST CALH^ 


you’ll have helped Warrington win. A strong 
set of substitutes is the most valuable asset a 
team can have.” 

” That’s right,” said McLane, nodding his 
approval. 

Now there are five positions vacant. We 
want to fill them with the best material we 
have. There won’t be any favoritism. So 
get out and hustle.” 

As the group broke up, scattering to differ- 
ent parts of the field, one of the men stepped 
up to Bob. 

” I want to introduce myself,” he said. 

My name is Ames.” The boy was plainly 
embarrassed, and Bob for the moment could 
not place him. Some of the group halted 
idly to hear the conversation. 

My father is John Ames, the banker,” 
went on the boy, losing his head somewhat 
and striving to make himself known. 

Trelawney told me ” 

Oh, you are Gregory Ames ! ” said Bob, a 
light suddenly breaking in on him. I re- 
member now. Trelawney told me all about 
you,” and to relieve the boy’s confusion, 
219 


A GRADUATE COACH 


added, he said you were mighty good. I’ll 
give you a chance, sure.” 

As Bob turned away, still in conversation 
with Ames, one of the group looked after 
them sarcastically. 

** No, there won’t be any favoritism,” he 
said mimicking Bob’s voice. “ Rats I ” 

It was John Stone. 


220 


CHAPTER XV 


LOOKING THEM OVER 

When the law school opened on the fol- 
lowing Monday and Bob counted up his 
hours of lectures, he found that coaching a 
football team and the study of the law was 
not a very happy combination. 

In the first place, some of his lectures con- 
flicted with the hours he must perforce spend 
on the field, and he knew from experience 
that the time spent on the field was but a 
small part of a coaches duties. They began 
at dawn and ended at bedtime, whenever that 
might be. 

Where I am going to find time to do 
much reading, I don’t see,” he said in dismay 
to Livingston. The amount of work the 
professors assign would take five hours a day 
to do at all thoroughly. I suppose I’ll have 
to let it slide till after the season.” 

If I were you, Bob,” said Livingston, 
221 


A GRADUATE COACH 


after a moment^s thought, I would attend 
all the lectures I could, but I would confine 
my reading to the one or two subjects I had 
time to cover perfectly. That’s better than 
getting a smattering of all.” 

Good advice, Liv. That solves the 
problem very nicely.” 

How is the team looking ? ” 

Pretty fair. We ought to win to-morrow 
by a tidy score.” 

This conversation took place a week after 
the opening of college, and the first game was 
the next day. Having so many veterans 
neither Bob nor the captain had any mis- 
givings as to stage fright, the older men being 
sure to cover up any mistakes the new ones 
might make. 

Who is taking Trelawney’s place ? ” 

Foster in the first half — Benson in the 
second. It’s going to be a pretty fight between 
them for the position.” 

Which will win? ” 

“ Ask me something easy, Liv. Foster has 
the advantage in weight.” 

The opening game of the season being 
222 


LOOKING THEM OVER 


always chosen by the old graduates to get a 
line on the team that would represent War- 
rington, the stands contained a very respect- 
able crowd that Saturday. 

It was Bob’s hope to establish such a lead 
early in the game as to make it feasible to do 
a lot of experimenting with his new men. 
And Merriton helped him by sending up a 
weak team. 

The Warrington line was impenetrable to 
any attack, and when on the offense tore the 
Merriton forwards to pieces. As a natural re- 
sult, the playing of Warrington sent the crowd 
into ecstasy, for it entirely overlooked, as a 
crowd always does, the fact that a weak op- 
ponent makes the work of the other team shine 
with a fictitious luster. 

Stone, at right half, in particular took the 
fancy of the audience. Time and again he 
circled Merriton’s ends for long gains; runs 
made spectacular by the weak tackling of his 
opponents, and possible by the efficient help 
of Fletcher and Dolan in boxing the opposing 
end. Twice he got away clear for a touch- 
down, his natural ability increased by the sure 
223 


A GRADUATE COACH 


knowledge that ha had the legs of any man on 
the Merriton team. 

“He’s a find, isn’t he?” was the general 
comment. “ Gee, he is fast ! ” 

“ What did you say his name was ? ” 

There was no necessity of asking the last 
question long. Everybody soon knew, and 
before the game was over the student body 
had taken Johnnie Stone to its heart. 

Many, of course, had known him the previ- 
ous year, but remembered him rather for his 
ready wit and easily given comradeship, than 
because he had played on the scrub team. 

Now that he was in a fair way to become 
famous, his friends boasted of their acquaint- 
ance, so that his life’s history rapidly became 
public property. 

He was a son of the people. His father 
was a small contractor, and the son had gradu- 
ated from the local high school. That was all, 
but it was enough to scrape acquaintance 
on, and as he passed along the street that even- 
ing, he found himself the center of obser- 
vation, which his natural sociability turned 
to good account. There was no question 
224 


LOOKING THEM OVER 

that Stone had made an impression on the 
college. 

“ What do you think of ’em ? ” asked Bob, 
as he walked off the field with Macklin after 
Merriton had been disposed of to the tune of 
forty-five to nothing. 

It looks like a big scoring team.” 

Can’t tell much, of course, from this after- 
noon. Merriton was a mess ! ” 

Stone played well.” 

** Yes ; brilliant, but risky. He didn’t fol- 
low his interference more than twice the 
whole afternoon.” 

** Well, he got away with it I ” 

** Yes. He did the right thing under the 
circumstances. But the point that puzzles 
me is whether he adapted his game to Merri- 
ton ’s weakness or whether that’s his natural 
tendency. It would never do against strong 
ends. He would be thrown for a loss every 
time ! ” 

He did show the same tendency in prac- 
tice,’' admitted Macklin. 

Oh, well, we can probably drive it out 
of him.” 


225 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ I hope so. He will be a valuable man. 
By far the best for the position I have spotted 
yet.” 

Bob gave a grudging assent. 

He was by nature distrustful of the spec- 
tacular player unless the brilliancy was built 
on a foundation of methodical, heady play, 
and he was not at all sure that Stone had that 
reserve to fall back upon in a hard game 
where the chance for bringing off a spec- 
tacular play is one in a thousand. 

“ It’s the unexpected that counts,” he said 
aloud. The man who follows his interfer- 
ence all through a game until the psycholog- 
ical moment, and then throws all rules aside 
and plays on inspiration is much more apt 
to bring the play off than if he made it a cus- 
tom. ^ Keep your opponent guessing ’ is to my 
mind the whole thing in football. Stone 
doesn’t do that.” 

During the succeeding week. Bob spent 
much time in coaching Stone to overcome his 
habit of doubling back and leaving his inter- 
ference when he saw an opponent coming at 
him. 


226 



DO WHAT / TELL YOU 



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LOOKING THEM OVER 


But I can^t use my speed then,” objected 
the half-back, when called to account. The 
interference slows up as it meets the end, and 
I think I stand a better chance if I double 
around it.” 

Yes, and if you happen to be tackled you 
lose eight yards instead of three,” said Bob 
impatiently. Now do what I tell you, the 
next time. Give that signal over again, 
Baker.” 

The quarter-back chirped it out and Stone 
fell in behind Dolan as he raced for the end. 

The scrub end dove under the mass, toppled 
it over, and Stone, who was close up, fell with 
it. 

You see ? ” he muttered as he rose to his 

feet. 

“ See I ” snapped Bob, as he came running 
up. ** I see you havenT got enough sense to 
keep from falling over your own feet. Why 
didnT you side-step ? ” 

There wasn’t room,” said Stone sullenly. 

“ You might have tried, anyway. Brace 
up!” 

I thought you told me to follow my in- 
227 


A GRADUATE COACH 


terference/’ said Stone, putting on a puzzled 
look as though he was at a loss to catch just 
what the coach wanted him to do. 

Bob controlled himself with an effort. 

The purpose of an end run is to gain 
ground,’' he said as though talking to a child. 
‘‘ Failing that, the next thing is to avoid los- 
ing it. A gain of twenty yards every third 
end play is worse than useless if you lose ten 
apiece on the others. Why ? Because the 
loss on the two plays will make it necessary 
to kick. 

“ Therefore a half-back should trust to his 
interference to clear a path for him. If it 
doesn’t it will at least bring him to the line, in 
most cases. Perhaps nothing is gained, but 
the loss, if any, is small. Not too much for a 
line plunge to regain. Understand ? ” 

Stone nodded. 

Well, then, once in a blue moon your 
interference will clear a path for you. Then 
your twenty-yard gain will count.” 

Stone nodded again, and went sullenly 
back to his position. He appreciated the force 
of Bob’s remarks, but didn’t want to follow 
228 


LOOKING THEM OVER 


instructions, because he considered himself in 
a different class from most half-backs, and 
thought his ability should enable him to play 
entirely on inspiration. However, for the 
rest of the practice he did what he was told. 

Foster and Benson were meanwhile having 
a merry fight for the guard position. Their 
work in the woods was telling. Both were 
far advanced in condition for so early in the 
year, and where other men were panting and 
casting longing glances at their captain to call 
a halt, both of these two stood the work easily. 

To give each a fair chance. Bob was alter- 
nating them in practice, and as yet had formed 
no opinion. He hoped in the morrow’s game 
against Newbury to come to some temporary 
decision. 

The corps of rubbers was a busy set of men 
these days. The soft tissues of the squad 
developed bruises and strains in appalling 
numbers, and Jimmy and his assistants worked 
late every night before satisfying the demands 
of the many who refused to go to sleep without 
a massage. 

Bob found that the love of the game, which 
229 


A GRADUATE COACH 


for four years had been his dominant passion, 
entered into a different phase now that he was 
a coach. 

At first he missed terribly the excitement 
of playing, the shock and surge of human 
masses, and above all the tense strain of play- 
ing before the crowd. He always donned a 
suit for practice and often displaced Baker at 
quarter-back for a few plays to illustrate some 
point he wished to make. On these occasions 
his old fire awoke, and the team found itself 
playing in a whirlwind fashion that Baker 
thus far had been unable to evoke. Then 
when he would step back, the task of coach- 
ing would seem unprofitable and stale, and his 
heart would ache at the thought that he was 
a “ has-been.^' 

As the days wore on, however, and the 
eleven units began to form into the semblance 
of a team, the pleasure of the artist began to 
make his task more congenial, and as he 
moulded his raw material, he sensed the joy 
of creating. 

It was during the Newbury game that this 
feeling first found expression. 

230 


LOOKING THEM OVER 


The game had started unsatisfactorily from 
a Warrington point of view, inasmuch as New- 
bury scored on a fumbled punt in the first few 
minutes of play and had held the white and 
black to an equal number of points in the first 
half. 

This poor showing was due more to the 
team as a whole than to any individual, 
every runner with the ball being guilty of 
fumbling whenever a score seemed possible, 
and the line showing anything but the firm- 
ness it had against Merriton. 

During the first intermission Coach Wal- 
ters was busy. 

Benson, who had played the first half, was 
replaced by Foster, Stone by Ames, who had 
been showing up well in practice, as a man 
who used his head, and Bob also made substi- 
tutions at right end and left half. The latter 
change, however, was more to save Fletcher, 
who was somewhat under the weather, than 
for doubt of his ability. Warrington needed 
that long leg for the kicking. There was no 
question of that. 

When the eleven had been playing five 
231 


A GRADUATE COACH 


minutes by the watch Bob knew he had 
molded well, and he began to look on the 
team for the first time as his property, his 
creation, something to be watched and worked 
over ; to stay awake nights for, and all to give 
to the college a finished product in the suc- 
cess of which he could have no real share. 
The alumnus who gives his time to his college 
must indeed be an altruist. 

In the short period of five minutes, War- 
rington had scored twice, and was marching 
down the field without a falter, intent on a 
third touch-down. 

Assured that an easy victory was in sight, 
and that the team as a whole was playing 
good football, Bob spent his time in analyzing 
the play of the individuals. 

Ames first claimed his attention. He was 
of medium height, broad shouldered and nar- 
row hipped. Bob liked the way he carried 
himself. He stood crouching in his position, 
balanced on his toes, his eyes intent on the 
ball. 

As it happened, his signal was given at that 
moment and Bob instinctively compared him 
232 


LOOKING THEM OVER 


with Stone. Ames was slower on the start, he 
concluded as he watched, but fully as fast after 
five yards. 

Good boy,^^ he said, half aloud. 

Ames^ interference had been piled up by 
the Newbury end, but he instantly turned, 
not as Stone would have done, to the outside, 
but straight into the struggling line. The 
move caught the opposing tackle off his bal- 
ance, and Ames nearly got clear. As it was 
he was downed with a yard gain. 

‘‘ Good head work that,"' murmured Bob. 

The other would have lost us two yards. 

The spectators, however, did not appreciate 
the play, and saw nothing in it but an end run 
that had failed. 

Now if that had been Stone,^^ said a stu- 
dent sitting in the bleachers, “ he would have 
skipped outside and gained twenty yards, the 
way he was doing in the first half.'^ 

He made a couple of fumbles, though, 
objected his neighbor. 

“ Yes, I know. But any one can slip up 
that way once in a while. That doesnT mean 
anything at the beginning of the season. 

233 


A GRADUATE COACH 

What I like about him is his dash — his bril- 
liancy/^ 

The bleacher critic was mistaken, however. 
Fumbling at any season of the year is a grave 
fault, and the subject occupied the minds of 
coach and captain that evening for a large 
part of their time. 

I don't like it. Of course it may be only 
a flash in the pan," said Bob, and not mean 
anything. But it's awfully dangerous to have 
a team doing it. The men lose their confi- 
dence." 

“ They improved a lot in the second half." 

Yes. Much steadier." 

Could you get much of a line on the 
men ? " asked Macklin as he studied a sheet 
giving the statistics of the squad. 

“ Not as much as I should like," replied 
Bob, consulting the notes which he had jotted 
down during the progress of play. Fisher 
at right end looks pretty good, though." 

Yes. He smothered their end runs nicely. 
He's my choice over Glave." 

“ Well, that settles the right side of the line. 
For the present anyway. Now for the left." 

234 


LOOKING THEM OVER 


“ Benson or Foster? ’’ 

I confess I don't know," said Walters 
openly. Foster's extra weight would be very 
valuable. And yet I have not the confidence 
in him that I have in Tom Benson. At times 
on our trip he seemed to show a suspicion of 
a yellow streak." 

I know what you mean, Bob. I was 
watching him, too. But I don't think he is 
yellow. He was in bad condition when we 
started, and it made the work harder for him 
than for the rest of us." 

But he seemed to give up very easily," 
said Bob, still holding to his own view. 

Oh, that was because there wasn't suffi- 
cient incentive. It really made little differ- 
ence whether we walked any given distance 
or not. Now football is different. I think 
you'll find he will hang on in the games." 

It isn't a question of incentive. Or at 
least it ought not to be, in my mind. It's 
simply a question of whether you have pride 
enough and grit enough to push on until you 
have finished what you have undertaken, no 
matter what effort it costs you. If you 

235 


A GRADUATE COACH 

haven^t it is easy to say, ‘ Oh, what’s the use of 
my killing myself to walk a quarter mile 
further,’ or * to keep Essex from scoring.’ Of 
course there isn’t really any use. It’s purely a 
question of determination to accomplish what 
you have set out to do, without counting the 
cost.” 

Bob paused for a moment after this long 
speech and then added, “ And that’s where 
I think Foster will disappoint us in the big 
games.” 

He hasn’t shown any sign of it yet.” 

“ There has been no occasion. He has been 
up against second-rate guards whom he could 
take care of with one hand.” 

“ That’s true,” agreed the captain. Still 
I think his weight is worth taking a chance 
on.” 

We don’t have to decide yet. Let’s keep 
playing them both.” 

All right. How about Stone and Ames ? ” 

What do you think ? ” asked Bob, anxious 
to get an expression of opinion from Macklin 
before stating his own. 

Stone, to my mind. He has made some 
236 


LOOKING THEM OVER 


of the prettiest runs I have seen for a long 
time. No one else can touch him.^^ 

Macklin said this with an entirely settled 
air, and did not seem to doubt Walters' agree- 
ment. 

am going to keep my eye on Ames," 
Bob said. I think he will turn out the 
better of the two." 

“You only think as yet?" said Macklin 
quizzically. “ I trust you don't know." 

“ No, Mack. I am not going to exercise 
my prerogative yet. Wait a while." 

Trelawney took a hand in the matter next 
day, after practice. 

“What do you think of myproteg6?" he 
asked. 

“ Pretty good man, Trel," said Bob, who 
was learning to be uncommunicative in any- 
thing touching the team. “ But it's entirely 
too early to say anything definite." 

“ Well, I hope you use him. It would 
tickle old man Ames half to death to have 
Greg on the team. And," he added signifi- 
cantly, “ it wouldn't be a bad thing for the 
university, either." 


237 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Bob looked up sharply. It was on the tip 
of his tongue to ask Trelawney what he 
meant, but he nipped the question back in 
time, judging that it would be wiser for a 
coach not to know why it would be to the 
advantage of the university for a given man 
to make the team. 

It^s hard enough to be unbiased as it is,^' 
he thought. I had better let that sleeping 
dog lie.” 


238 


CHAPTER XVI 


HALF A MILLION ” 

Bob was not permitted, however, to remain 
long in ignorance of the meaning that lay 
behind Trelawney^s remark. A loose-tongued 
alumnus meeting him in the street one day 
enlightened him. 

Now Bob, for all his experience, had re- 
tained his naturally guileless disposition, and 
where another man would have jumped at 
once to the meaning of Trelawney’s hint 
he, though vaguely aware of it, had not by 
any means grasped the whole. Consequently 
when the alumnus opened his eyes, he was 
aghast. 

I hear young Ames is out for the team,’^ 
the former said easily after congratulating 
Bob on his work. Hope you are going to 
play him regularly at half. His father 
would probably give half a million to the 
college if his son makes the team.'^ 

239 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Meaning ? ” 

“ Oh, nothing, except that if Ames makes 
good, you kill two birds with one stone.” 

Bob’s face was a study. He was so as- 
tounded at the mere suggestion that anything 
but merit could win a place on the Warring- 
ton team, that he could hardly believe his 
ears. In fact, the idea appeared to him so 
outrageous, so inconceivable, that he feared 
his ears had made a mistake and contented 
himself by saying : 

“ Oh, he has a chance. He is shaping up 
pretty well.” 

Whereat the alumnus went his way, confi- 
dent that his suggestion had fallen on fallow 
ground and that Bob would play Ames if his 
game warranted it in the slightest. 

If the alumnus had contented himself with 
his remark to Bob, it would have saved the 
latter much trouble, but he repeated it 
thoughtlessly to another alumnus, who had a 
younger brother in college, and the mischief 
was done. 

The rumor spread that Warrington was to 
be represented by a team chosen for its influ- 
240 


^‘HALF A MILLIOW^ 


ential connections ; that honest merit was no 
longer the only deciding factor, and that if 
Johnnie Stone didn’t make right half-back it 
would be because his father couldn’t endow 
the university. 

Everybody laughed at first, but there were 
enough malcontents to keep the idea from ob- 
livion, so that finally the college, still unwill- 
ing to credit such a state of affairs, neverthe- 
less put the thought away, under its hat, and 
sat back to await developments. 

When the rumor reached Bob he was 
furious. 

What a disgusting lot of people there are 
in the world. The idea of any one thinking 
such a thing, much less spreading it,” he said 
to Livingston. 

You are not going to let it warp your 
judgment, I hope. None of the decent men 
will give any weight to such a story.” 

No. I don’t intend to let it bias me, of 
course,” said Bob indignantly. But it makes 
the task of picking a team just that much 
more difficult. Confound them.” 

Bob stared into space, an angry frown giv- 
241 


A GRADUATE COACH 


ing his usually pleasant face an expression of 
brooding wrath which his friends seldom saw. 

“ Well/^ said Livingston at length, “ of 
course if you just play Stone nothing more 
will be thought of it.^^ 

“ But I don't think I can play him. My 
judgment to-night says Ames will prove the 
better man. Even if he doesn’t, his friends 
will say I was afraid to give him the place. 
Either way, I’m in for it.” 

Isn’t it as much Macklin’s decision as 
yours ? ” 

‘‘ Yes, in a way. But I can’t shove the 
rumpus off on his shoulders. I don’t see 
why the fates won’t let me have one year 
in peace. Last year it was the mix-up with 
Trelawney, and now this. Other men don’t 
seem to have these troubles.” 

Bob rose impatiently and strode up and 
down the room. 

** Perhaps,” remarked Livingston keenly, 

they avoid them by not going counter to 
public opinion.” 

Bob stopped his walk and faced his friend 
angrily. 


242 


^^HALF A MILLION'^ 


Do you mean to say you think that the 
wiser course? ” he blurted out. 

Don’t get mad, Bob,” said Livingston 
smiling up at him, for I don’t mean any- 
thing of the sort. If I thought you were the 
type of man to let public opinion swerve you 
from doing what you thought right, I wouldn’t 
have the respect for you that I do hold. Nor 
do I think our friendship would have lasted 
all these years.” 

‘‘ Thank you, Liv,” said Bob mollified. I 
ought to have known better than to think you 
would advise the weak-kneed course.” 

** No,” said Livingston. Stick by your 
guns. Don’t butt your head against a stone 
wall needlessly, but on the other hand don’t 
avoid it when in the right, just because it is a 
stone wall. That’s the principle I try to live 
up to.” 

“ A pretty good working formula, too,” as- 
sented Bob. 

Macklin was also disturbed by the rumor, 
but not to the same extent, for believing that 
Stone was the better man, he foresaw nothing 
on which the tale could exist. 

243 


A GRADUATE COACH 


As the days went by his faith seemed justi- 
fied. Certainly Stone was the more brilliant 
of the two, and hardly a practice passed that 
he did not make a long run against the scrub. 
Bob, however, insisted that Ames should have 
an equal chance to show his capabilities. He 
saw that the boy was diffident, mistrustful of 
his own powers, and was working his heart 
out to gain the coveted position. 

On the other hand. Stone not only was a 
good player, but knew it, and let every one 
else know it, so that his fame increased rapidly 
in the college, and his popularity as well, for 
he was clever enough to disguise his conceit 
in a wrapping of good fellowship. 

We are not getting ahead as fast as we 
should, said Macklin refiectively to the coach 
one afternoon as they walked on the field. 

We haven^t improved the last ten days at 
all.’^ 

The team had inevitably imbibed a little of 
the poison and was feeling the effects. This 
was evidenced by a certain insubordination. 

Bound to be a slump about now,^^ re- 
turned Bob encouragingly. ‘‘ Better now than 
244 


^^HALF A MILLION^' 


later. Once we get the line-up settled things 
will improve. And I’m thinking that after 
the Coleport game we had better decide.” 

It’s hard to say, though. When the rules 
committee change the game on you, the way 
they have done, who can tell the type of man 
needed to meet the new conditions? ” 

“ I don’t think we need let that bother us. 
A good man may develop quickly.” 

“ Yes, but the forward pass will be used a 
lot this year, and it takes an exceptionally 
sure man, it seems to me, to handle it. It’s 
an awfully dangerous play unless it is well 
done.” 

“ Of course that must be considered, and 
considered well, but so far in practice no one 
has shown unusual ability for it. They are 
all on a par.” 

There is one thing we can be sure of,” 
said Macklin, as he watched Fletcher driving 
long twisting punts down the field. 

What’s that ? ” 

The team that has a good kicker will have 
a bigger advantage than ever. You can’t 
hope to gain consistently, against any team 

245 


A GRADUATE COACH 


that is your equal, now that they have ruled 
out helping the runner. It will make every 
game a kicking duel.” 

“ There is no doubt about that,” assented 
Bob. “ Though the new rules open the game 
a good bit.” 

“Open the game?” repeated Macklin 
sarcastically. “ That has been the slogan for 
years. Open it and ruin it, I say.” 

“ Well, the public wanted it,” said Bob 
resignedly. “ And the public pays the 
freight.” 

“ You mean ? ” 

“ That we couldn’t support a field like this 
if the public didn’t come to see the games.” 

“ It’s all wrong. We are doing this for 
pleasure. We are not paid performers.” 

“ Aren’t we ? ” said Bob whimsically, 
“ Sometimes it seems to me we are. Except 
that we don’t handle any cash. We get a lot 
of benefits, and are looked after quite like 
any self-respecting professional.” 

“ Get along with you, Bob,” said Macklin, 
relieved to see a twinkle in Bob’s eyes as he 
uttered these treasonable sentiments. “ Some- 
246 


‘‘ HALF A MILLION^* 


times, when you talk like that, I think for a 
minute you really mean it.’’ 

“ Perhaps I do,” answered Bob, still with a 
twinkle in his eye, but there was an under- 
current of sadness in his tone. 

Bob devoted much of the practice to the 
forward pass in its less complicated forms. 
He was of no mind to reveal to any chance 
onlooker the more involved formations over 
which he and the captain had been working. 
They were to be saved for Kingston and Essex, 
when an unexpected trick might well win the 
day. They were to be practiced only behind 
closed gates. 

Baker showed improvement in his passing 
this particular afternoon, and hurled the pig- 
skin to the waiting half-back with an accuracy 
which was a relief to Bob. He had been 
worried about this pivotal position. 

The first pass Stone took on the dead run, 
and with the advantage this start gave him, 
easily outstripped the scrub backs and raced 
forty yards for a touch-down. 

The students in the stand let out a cheer. 

But Stone’s second attempt at the forward 
247 


A GRADUATE COACH 


pass was not so successful. Baker did his part 
perfectly, but the half-back was late again in 
getting into position, and saved the ball only 
by diving for it. He was tackled instantly. 
The third time he was in position, no op- 
ponent near him, the ball came hurtling 
through the air over the mass of struggling 
players, into his very arms, and — he fumbled it. 

At the latter end of practice, Bob substituted 
Ames in Stone’s position. Newton in the 
stand took his feet down and began to observe 
the play more closely. Many of the students 
leaned forward and seemed waiting for the first 
misplay to jeer at Ames’ champion. 

Three times Baker called the signal for a 
forward pass, three times he hurled the ball at 
the place where Ames should be. Each time 
the latter was in position waiting all alert for 
the pass, each time he caught it cleanly and 
was tackled on his second stride. 

“ Huh I ” grunted Alden, a junior. Do 
you think much of that? Slow as molasses.” 

What was wrong with it?” inquired 
Newton. 

Wrong with it?” ejaculated the other 
248 


^^HALF A MILLION'^ 


contemptuously. Wrong with it ? To catch 
a forward pass three times and not make a 
single gain I ” 

He caught it, anyway, replied Newton 
dispassionately. And then with a detached 
air, as though speaking largely to himself, 
Baker’s pass was for six yards, — on the 
average. Three times six is eighteen. Eight- 
een yards seems to me like some gain.” 

Alden scowled at him. “ Ames didn’t 
make the gain.” 

“ No, but he put the plug4n it,” said New- 
ton, and resumed his watch of the play. 

And trust Newt for putting the plug in 
any hot-air artist like Alden,” said Tommy 
Kidder who, sitting a few rows back, had over- 
heard the exchange of courtesies. You 
won’t get much change out of him 1 ” 

Hello there, Kidder,” said the grave voice 
of Livingston, who was walking up the aisle. 

What mischief is hatching under your hat 
this year ? ” 

“ Oh,” returned Kidder demurely, “ I’m a 
senior this year. Have to preserve my dig- 
nity. Going in for uplift.” 

249 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ Uplift ? ” Livingston raised his eyebrows. 

Yes. Do good to my fellow man and all 
that.” 

“ Don^t, I beg of you, Tommy, change your 
formula. To give the college a hearty laugh 
once a year is doing more than your share of 
‘ uplift,^ as you call it. I know I have come 
to look to you to lift my spirits annually.” 

Hm,” grinned Tommy. “ I thank you, 
kind sir, for your fair-spoken words. Believe 
me, I shall give them attention. You make 
me see my past in a new light.” 

Notwithstanding the efforts of Newton and 
others of the best type of Warringtonians to 
minimize the criticism against Bob on account 
of Ames, the subject would not down. Daily 
the stands filled with a mass of students who 
were urging the claims of Johnnie Stone, and 
vented their partisanship by ringing cheers 
for their idol whenever the least occasion of- 
fered. 

In this surcharged atmosphere Bob Walters 
and Macklin found it difficult to maintain an 
even poise. 

Where the merits of two men are nearly 
250 


^^HALF A MILLION'^ 


balanced, a coach must make his choice al- 
most by intuition. He will allow certain in- 
tangible qualifications, difficult to put into 
words and impossible of use in defending the 
choice, to weigh the scale in favor of one or 
the other. The best coaches do not formulate 
reasons for all their acts. Consequently a 
coach should be as free as possible from un- 
skilled criticism. 

The Coleport game made the choice no 
easier. For the first time that season War- 
rington met a sturdy resistance. Though the 
white and black had no real difficulty in win- 
ning, the touch-downs were rare enough to 
make the crowd anxious and receptive of any 
big gain. Consequently when Stone made a 
touch-down on a forward pass after a brilliant 
run, the students rose to him, and nothing 
that Ames could do when he came on in 
Stone’s place could call forth a murmur. 

Am I wrong, after all?” thought Bob as 
he paced the side lines. ** Have I become 
pigheaded and able to see only one side of the 
question? Is Stone the more valuable man ? ” 

Yet he could not make himself believe it. 
251 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Ames handled himself so well ; had such an 
air of steadiness about him ; had made so few 
mistakes. But he was not brilliant. 

Blessed if I can make up my mind/^ Bob 
said impatiently. First of all, he of course 
wanted to pick the best man. That went 
without saying. So far as the two men went, 
he would rather see Ames on the team. On 
the other hand Ames was tarred, no matter 
how innocently, with the misplaced suggestion 
of influence of his friends. Bob’s inclination 
was naturally against a man so brought to his 
notice. Again, was it fair to the boy to allow 
this to weigh against him? Certainly not. 
Bob felt that strongly. So strongly in fact 
that he was troubled with the unpleasant 
thought that he was going to ^ the other ex- 
treme. 

When his thoughts had brought him to this 
dead end he kicked pettishly at the turf and 
strove to fix his mind on something else. 

On the field the team was fighting hard to 
make one more touch-down. Bob’s eye roved 
over the machine he had assembled and made 
note of apparent weaknesses. 

252 


^^HALF A MILLION^^ 


Tom seems to be holding his own/^ he 
thought, as he saw Dolan make a five-yard 
gain through the left side of the line. “ Tom 
opened a nice hole that time.^^ 

If Benson could have known this thought 
it would have comforted him not a little. For 
he did not think he was holding his own. 
His opponent, a beefy individual, outweigh- 
ing him thirty pounds, had given him no 
easy task. Benson was by far the quicker, 
but it was only occasionally he could make 
use of this advantage, while the huge bulk 
opposed to him was a constant menace. 

Foster held him,’^ he muttered between 
his teeth as he met the shock of the other^s 
lunge. So I must. If my weight canT, my 
brains shall ! But try as he might every 
artifice known to him or invented on the spot, 
he knew that he was only breaking even. 
Even to do this he was forced to exert himself 
to the utmost. 

Oh, for another ten pounds I That was 
his constant thought as he tired and felt his 
quickness leaving him. 

The whistle blew in a weary man’s ears, but 

253 


A GRADUATE COACH 


mingled with relief at the sound was the 
dread conviction that Foster had increased his 
lead for the position by that day’s play. 

As he came from the shower-bath disaster 
overtook him. Disaster that he had known 
was at his heels, but which he had hoped to 
escape. 

McLane strolled up and looked him over as 
the rubber plied his trade. 

Get on the scales, Tom,” he said. 

You’re looking thin to me.” 

Tom stepped dolefully on the platform. 
No need for him to look at the bar. He 
knew. 

One hundred and seventy-eight pounds,” 
read off McLane. “ Losing weight, aren’t 
you ? ” 

Guess I sweated that off to-day,” said poor 
Benson. ” I’ll have it back to-morrow.” 

** Working you too hard,” said McLane 
kindly. I’ll tell Bob to ease up on you a bit.” 

Ease up on him a bit ! Tom knew what 
that meant, and he finished his dressing in a 
deep fit of the blues. 


CHAPTER XVII 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 

Great game you're playing, Johnnie. 
You ought to have that position cinched^' 

“ I don't want to count my chickens, 
Alden," retorted Stone cheerfully as he stopped 
at the other's greeting. “ A couple of others 
are pushing me hard." 

Nothing to it ! " affirmed Alden positively. 
“ You've got Ames beaten a mile." 

** Well, I wouldn't say that exactly," ob- 
jected Stone with humorous gravity. Call it 
a furlong I " 

“ It's a winning lead, whatever you call it," 
retorted the other. “ That is, unless there is 
crooked work at the finish," he added mean- 
ingly. 

“ Oh, I don't think we need bother about 
all that. Money won't cut any figure in this." 

I'm not worrying. If Mr. Gotrox, Junior, 
had had more experience I might, but as it 

255 


A GRADUATE COACH 


is He is a good steady plodding player, 

but that’s about all.” 

Well, I hope you get it,” said Alden. 

The whole college is wishing you luck.” 

In making this sweeping statement Alden 
was drawing on his imagination, for the ma- 
jority of the students were quite content to 
abide by the choice of the coach, but Stone 
was not loath to accept the compliment at its 
full value and continued to the dormitories, 
his head in the air. 

This was but a sample of the speeches he 
heard constantly, so that as the days passed, 
he came to feel that in fact there was no real 
competition for his position, and he grew dis- 
gruntled at Bob’s action in playing Ames for 
half the time spent in practice. 

Tidings that Kingston was to send down an 
unusually strong team caused Bob many a 
sleepless night, and as the daily practice 
showed but slow improvement, he looked 
forward to the game with acute nervousness. 
Warrington had shown a powerful attack 
against the weaker teams, but its defense had 
not been tested, and what the men would do 
256 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 

under the strain of a close battle he could only 
guess. 

“ I’ll feel a lot easier Saturday night,” he 
confided to Macklin as they sat talking in the 
latter’s room the Thursday before the game. 
“ We may come up to the scratch, and we 
may go all to pieces if Kingston presses us 
closely.” 

“ Oh, no. Bob. There is not much chance of 
that,” said Macklin. We have too many 
veterans on the team. They’ll stop any 
panic.” 

It’s not panic I am afraid of. It’s laziness. 
If things go wrong it is usually the veteran 
who lacks the enthusiasm to overcome big 
odds.” 

** Well, Saturday will tell,” said Macklin. 

But I am not worried that the team won’t 
do its best.” 

“ Is its best good enough ? ” 

Don’t know. But I have faith in it. 
How about those undecided positions? ” 

I’m afraid we need the extra weight Foster 
will give us,” replied Bob thoughtfully. “ He 
is your choice, is he not ? ” 

257 


A GRADUATE COACH 

Yes, decidedly. I have watched him 
closely, and haven't seen any signs of shirk- 
ing. It was his lack of condition that gave 
you that impression in the woods, I am sure." 

Well, maybe you are right," agreed Bob, 
willing to be convinced, though he could not 
help the thought that ran through his brain. 
“ He has had no cause for shirking yet." 

“ How about right half-back ? " 

“ That’s an open question. But I thought 
we would let Stone start the game." 

** All right. I think you will end by agree- 
ing with me that he is the man for the place." 

I am not so sure of that," retorted Bob, 
moving toward the door. I must be off 
now. My legal studies are suffering from 
lack of attention." 

Working you hard ? " 

They would if I gave them the chance,’^ 
replied Bob over his shoulder as he left the 
room. But so far they have not seen much 
of me." 

In his own rooms, he found Newton and 
Livingston hard at work. 

“What’s that you are poring over. Newt ? " 
258 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 

he asked, looking down at the fat volume New- 
ton was studying. 

Anatomy, said the other abstractedly, and 
resumed his air of concentration. 

Talk to a man for a moment, can’t you ? ” 
said Bob, drawing up a chair. “ You two 
have developed into fearful close-mouths.” 

Livingston laughed. 

Sorry, Bob,” he said leaning back in his 
chair and poising his book on his knee, but 
these graduate courses don’t allow much time 
for frivolous conversation. I am surprised 
you haven’t found that out for yourself al- 
ready.” 

'' Oh, I have,” admitted Bob. But I find 
coaching a football team a bar to concentra- 
tion on any other subject.” 

If I know anything of the requirements 
of the law school, it will go hard with you 
later,” commented his friend. 

I know it will. Another year I wonT 
attempt coaching. The work is piling up on 
me in a fearful way,” Bob said dolefully as 
he opened his law book and began reading a 
case. This legal jargon is hard as the deuce 
259 


A GRADUATE COACH 


at first. Almost as bad as that old English 
you’re so fond of.” 

“ It’s no use trying to study,” interrupted 
Newton, with you fellows gabbing in my 
ear.” And he pushed his book away from him 
and leaned back. How is the coaching 
going? ” 

Fair. But I didn’t come here to talk 
football. I came to study.” 

I like that I ” exclaimed Newton indig- 
nantly. When you begin by calling us 
close-mouths.” 

“ Perhaps he doesn’t know what he wants,” 
hazarded Livingston, taking note of a crease 
on Bob’s forehead which had the air of being 
a fixture. 

You are about right,” confessed Bob 
throwing down his guard. I’m a bit up in 
the air to-night.” 

‘‘Responsibilities getting on your nerves?” 

“ Oh, it isn’t the coaching, or fear of 
defeat that worries me, but it is of a differ- 
ent kind. If they would only let me 
alone ” 


They?” 


260 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 


** The alumni — they are always butting in ! ’’ 

Not harping still on the Ames-Stone 
matter ? ” said Livingston, raising his eye- 
brows in disgust. 

Yes. Confound them. There are power- 
ful interests at work to see that Ames makes 
the team.” 

How do they dare suggest such a thing ? ” 
said Newton indignantly. 

Oh, they doiiT suggest it,” replied Bob 
wearily. They say nothing you could pin 
them down to. Just hints here and there 
that Ames is playing well and ought to make 
the team ; that Mr. Ames is wrapped up in 
the success of his boy ; that it would be so 
nice to have Gregory make the team — oh, a 
hundred hints of that character. And a lot 
of such talk comes back to the students, of 
course.” 

What attitude does the boy himself take? ” 

Gregory ? Oh, he’s all right. Good stuff, 
clear through. He would rather not make 
the team than do it on his father’s money.” 

^'He knows of the rumor, I suppose?” 
said Newton interrogatively. 

261 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Yes. Got mighty hot over it, too. Came 
to me and apologized. Feels very badly that 
he should be concerned in such a rumor.^^ 

'' Too bad that such a thing ever got 
started.” 

Much too bad,” agreed Bob gravely and 
picked up his book again. 

When the team straggled into the gym- 
nasium on Saturday after a light lunch, the 
men crowded, with common consent, around 
a notice pinned to the door. It contained the 
names of the men who had been selected to 
start the game against Kingston. 

It looks as though Johnnie had it,” re- 
marked Fisher as he read Stone’s name oppo- 
site right half-back. They will hardly make 
any changes after this game.” 

Ames had, with his usual diffidence, re- 
frained from joining the others around the 
placard, but read the coach’s decision in the 
jubilant air which Stone assumed as he passed 
him. 

His heart sank, and for a moment he was 
tempted to stop dressing, but his better self 
quickly reasserted its control, and he went on 
262 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 


lacing up a shoe with as much precision as 
ever, though his lips were drawn into a tight 
line. 

Foster goes in at guard,” he heard his neigh- 
bor say in an undertone, and straightening up 
he looked across at Benson to see how he was 
taking the defeat of his hopes. What he saw 
gave him instant command over his feelings. 

Benson was sitting on a bench, apparently 
care-free, joking with some of the other men. 
Nothing in his attitude indicated that he had 
just met with a bitter disappointment. His 
laughter was natural, unstrained, and Ames, as 
he looked, admired, while reviling himself. 

If he, first sub last year, can stand being 
beaten out for the place by a newcomer, I 
guess I can take my medicine,” and by the 
time he had finished dressing his mouth had 
resumed its natural lines. 

When the team took the field in response 
to the referee’s warning, the horseshoe of seats 
had become a close-packed mass of color, which 
burst into bloom as Macklin ran out at the 
head of his men. 

^'An enthusiastic crowd,” remarked New- 
263 


A GRADUATE COACH 


ton turning in his seat, which by virtue of 
being a roommate of the coach was on the 
side lines. 

Livingston, who sat beside him, nodded. 

** It is always a wonder to me how similar 
all football crowds are. There seems to be a 
type of face which belongs to the football 
spectator and no one else.^’ 

Yes,^^ agreed Newton. ** But you are 
getting a little deep for me. Here comes 
Trelawney,’^ he added. 

“ Every inch the stockbroker,'^ commented 
Livingston as he watched the old guard's 
approach. 

Quite the dresser, Trel," said Newton. 

You must be making money down your 
way." 

“ Fair, my son, only fair," replied Tre- 
lawney calmly, ruffling Newton's hair with 
his big hand. " But you have to dress to 
make a success in our business." 

His attention turned to the field, where the 
teams were getting into position. 

** Hello I that's a promising start." 

Trelawney rose from his seat. A Kingston 
264 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 


back had fumbled the kick-off, and the ball 
was downed on the twenty-five yard line. 

Now let’s see what they can do with Bob’s 
pupils.” 

Not much, it seemed, for after two futile 
attempts to gain a punt soared toward the 
Warrington goal. Stone was well under it, 
and eluding the Kingston ends made a fifteen- 
yard gain. 

Baker tried a forward pass at once and 
Fletcher, catching it, planted the ball twenty 
yards further on. 

That’s going some I ” remarked Trelawney 
appreciatively. I thought some one said 
Kingston was going to give us a good fight.” 

May yet,” said Newton, his eyes on the 
play. 

Sure. Just look at that, though I ” yelled 
Trelawney waving his hat madly. 

** That ” was a wide end run by Stone, who 
circled his opponents for thirty yards and a 
touch-down. 

'' Too easy I Watch us eat ’em up ! ” 

The Warrington stand went crazy at this 
easy score, and Stone’s name rolled out in a 
265 


A GRADUATE COACH 


succession of volleys, on the end of the War- 
rington cheer. 

Bully work ! '' said Trelawney settling 
back in his seat. “ That man Stone is fast.’’ 

As the game continued the vaunted strength 
of Kingston failed to materialize, and, far 
from being a close struggle, the contest de- 
veloped into a runaway match. At every 
point Warrington showed its superiority. 

“ This isn’t going to be a victory,” remarked 
Trelawney at half-time, as he joined the 
throng walking toward the gymnasium. It’s 
a rout ! ” 

“ Picnic, isn’t it ? ” said Dolan as Trelawney 
stopped in front of where the full-back was 
sitting. It is like going through cheese 
when you strike that line. Wish you were 
with us to enjoy it.” 

Trelawney grinned. Wish I were. It does 
look easy. How big a score are you going 
to roll up ? ” 

” Oh, about twenty more points,” answered 
Macklin for him, his face bubbling with good 
humor. 

Going to make any substitutions ? ” 

266 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 


I think not/’ replied the captain. The 
teani looks good to me as it is. Come over 
here a bit/’ he added drawing Trelawney out 
of ear-shot of the others. What’s your 
opinion ? ” 

You mean as to the line-up ? ” 

“ Yes. What do you think of Stone ? ’’ 

** Playing brilliantly. No question about 
that. Foster seems to be doing well, too.” 

Then you think those two the best 
choice ? ” 

Trelawney temporized. I can’t go that 
far,” he said. I have not been out at prac- 
tice enough to be a fair judge. How does 
Stone stand up under a gruelling ? ” 

** Seems to be all right.” 

“ Well, I have no suggestions to offer, 
Mack,” said Trelawney finally after a mo- 
ment’s thought. There is certainly nothing 
to criticize to-day.” 

That’s right, isn’t it ? ” exclaimed Mack- 
lin enthusiastically. ‘‘ I didn’t think the 
team had so much up its sleeve. I am 
mighty well pleased with the men, I can tell 
you.” 


267 


A GRADUATE COACH 


All right, Mack ? Bob Walters came 
striding up, and Trelawney noticed that his 
face did not bear the same marks of enthu- 
siasm. 

Well, Trel, glad to see you. Making a 
show of Kingston, aren’t we ? ” 

Then, without waiting for the other’s an- 
swer, he turned to Macklin. 

Better get ’em out. Mack ; the referee will 
be in here after you in a minute.” 

As Trelawney walked back to the field, he 
conned over in his mind the possible reasons 
for Bob’s apparent dissatisfaction. 

I can’t make it out,” he said to himself. 

But something has upset Bob’s plans, that’s 
certain. I’ll get Liv to worm it out of him 
to-night.” 

The last part of the game was very similar 
to what had gone before. For a time, it is 
true, Kingston, apparently as a result of a 
severe scolding administered by the coach 
during the intermission, braced up and gained 
several first downs. The cheers of her sup- 
porters, however, that burst out at this first 
sign of encouragement, died a quick death 
268 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 


when a fumble gave the ball to Warrington 
and smothered the incipient rally. 

Nothing to it,” was Trelawney^s estimate 
after that play, and the final score of thirty- 
six to nothing justified the remark. 

“ Something is worrying Bob,” he volun- 
teered to Livingston as they parted at the en- 
trance to the field. “ See if you can find out 
what it is.” 

** Why, this game ought to clear up all his 
doubts,” exclaimed Livingston. I think Til 
find him very cheerful.” 

No, you won’t,” prophesied the other. 

This game has added to them, or I miss my 
guess,” and he joined the throng streaming 
cityward. 

Livingston walked thoughtfully to his 
rooms, considering Trelawney’s remark, but 
being able to make neither head nor tail to it, 
wisely dropped it from his mind, till he could 
solve the problem by a direct question. 

Bob, as was his custom, had dinner with 
the team, and then went to Macklin’s room 
for a conference, so that it was ten o’clock be- 
fore he stalked into Livingston’s presence. 

269 


A GRADUATE COACH 


A quick glance showed Trelawney's forecast 
to be correct. Bob was disappointed about 
something. 

The coach flung himself into a chair and 
stared moodily at the floor. For a time there 
was silence. Then Livingston hazarded a re- 
mark. 

“ Good work this afternoon, Bob. You 
ought to feel very well satisfled.^' 

Yes. The team did do well,^’ Bob an- 
swered absently, and relapsed into silence. 

Having learnt nothing here, Livingston 
tried another tack. 

Stone was quite a star, I thought.*^ 

Hm ! said Bob. 

Feeling, from Bob^s doubtful assent to what 
was to all appearances a patent fact that he 
was on the right track, Livingston persisted. 

It seems to me that his playing this after- 
noon ought to settle the doubts you had.” 

No, confound it,” exclaimed Bob striking 
the arm of his chair with an open palm, 
roused out of his silence at last. That is just 
what the game didnT do.” 

Why ? ” 


270 


A DISAPPOINTMENT 


IVs all the fault of Kingston. I had a 
right to expect they'd send a strong team 
down and give us a fight. Instead they 
send down an aggregation we can wade right 
through. I knew Stone was brilliant against 
a weak team. I wanted to watch him against 
a strong one. And now here we are with 
Essex only two weeks off, and I don't know 
any more about his backbone than I did yes- 
terday. It's a shame I " 


271 


CHAPTER XVIII 


SECKET PRACTICE 

After the Kingston game the college con- 
sidered as settled the question as to who was 
going to fill the position of right half-back for 
the rest of the season. Able critics as most 
of the undergraduates deemed themselves to 
be, and vociferously as they declared their 
opinions on the running of the team, they 
were unable to imagine, much less discern, 
the difficulties which confronted Bob in mak- 
ing a final selection of the man to play 
against Essex. Thus, being unable to see be- 
yond the very visible fact that Stone had 
brilliant qualities as a half-back, they con- 
sidered the matter closed, and proceeded to 
pooh-pooh the idea that the coach intended 
to play any one else, and even forgot the fact 
that they had at one time thought so. As a 
natural result the rumor of undue influence 
272 


SECRET PRACTICE 

slumbered and seemed about to pass from all 
minds. 

During the week succeeding the victory over 
Kingston, Bob persisted in playing Ames dur- 
ing part of the practice. And though this 
course was criticized in some quarters, as 
tending to waste time precious for the de- 
velopment of team work, it was considered to 
mean nothing more than that Stone was 
trained down too fine, and that he was being 
saved as much as possible. 

Bob began to feel the combined strain of the 
coaching and studying. In former years, he 
had his time to himself except when actually 
playing, and even when he had been captain 
and his duties were almost as heavy as now, 
the fact that his studies were largely only an 
advance on what he had already studied made 
it possible to cover much ground in short 
periods of study. 

Now, however, he was studying practically 
a new language, and in these early weeks 
much time was naturally consumed in mak- 
ing himself master of the different terms ; 
terms with which he must be intimate before 

273 


A GRADUATE COACH 


he could hope to master the principles of law 
with which they concerned themselves. As a 
result, many nights saw him still at work at 
midnight, when his eyes were heavy with 
sleep. 

Just listen to this, Liv,^^ he said one after- 
noon when he was snatching a spare hour to 
study before he would be needed on the field. 

Tenant in fee-tail special. This book is 
full of gibberish of that sort.” 

What are you reading ? ” 

** The commentaries of the worthy Sir Will- 
iam Blackstone.” 

“ What does tenant in fee, etc., mean ? ” 

‘‘ DonT know,” said Bob with a chuckle. 

The name brought me up all standing. But 
as far as I can make out it doesn’t mean any- 
thing. It should be apparently ‘ tenant in 
tail after possibility of issue extinct,’ to de- 
scribe the situation adequately.” 

** Well, what does that mean ? ” 

** Don’t ask me ! I’ll let you know, though, 
when I have solved the puzzle.” 

“ That stuff sounds difficult, but I am not 
sure that it is any worse than this early Eng- 
274 


SECRET PRACTICE 


lish I am working over,’^ said Livingston as 
he threw down his Chaucer. “ I have to keep 
a dictionary at my elbow.^^ 

“ What are you two grumbling over ? 
asked Newton, who came in at that moment 
diffusing an odor of disinfectants. 

The difficulties of our respective branches 
of higher education, volunteered Bob. But 
where on earth have you been? You smell 
like a hospital. 

Do you notice it ? retorted Newton 
calmly. Well, that’s one of the difficulties of 
my branch of the higher education. Dissect- 
ing room.” 

Dissecting room ? ” exclaimed Livingston. 

It must be disagreeable work,” commented 
Bob. 

“ It is. The room smells like the deuce. 
Though they tell me it is nothing now to 
what it will be later in the year.” 

Bob laughed. We’ll take your word for 
the rest. You needn’t continue. I’m off, 
anyway,” he added, glancing at the clock. 
“ My charges are waiting for me.” 

I think I’ll come too,” said Newton. 

275 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ Sorry, Newt, can^t let you,'^ said Bob 
briefly. Secret practice to-day. Gates will 
be closed till four o’clock.^^ 

‘‘Jove, youb’e getting important. Think 
you might let your old friends in. DonT you, 
Liv ? '' 

“ Can't show favoritism. Some of my 
bleacher critics would take exception to it. 
Can't be too careful these days," retorted Bob, 
with a touch of bitterness. 

Once on the field he and Macklin wasted 
no time in setting the men to work. 

“ Every one this way I " Bob called to the 
scattered groups who were amusing them- 
selves in various ways. 

“ I am going to give you some new plays," 
he announced as the squad gathered round 
him. “ Get in your positions and we'll run 
through them slowly. Punt formation." 

The men formed in position, Fletcher 
dropping back as though he were going to kick. 

“ The signal for this play will be 81. It is 
a forward pass on a fake kick. Fletcher, 
when you get the ball, run to left end, 
Dolan and Baker interfering for you. Stone 
276 


SECRET PRACTICE 


will drop back five yards and receive the pass 
from Fletcher. If he has the chance he will 
then make a forward pass to Fisher, who will 
be fifteen yards down the field on the right 
side. Understand ? 

His hearers nodded. 

All right then. Line up for a scrimmage. 
Signal, Baker.^^ 

“ 43 — 2 — 81 — 9,'^ chirped the quarter-back. 

Only walk through it at first, fellows, 
cautioned Bob as the play started. 

As Fletcher secured the ball he started for 
the end, turned as he reached his position, 
and shot the ball back to Stone, who im- 
mediately passed it across the line to Fisher. 

That's good," said Bob, pleased. It 
looks as if it might work out. Mack." 

Yes," agreed the captain. But Fisher 
must be slower getting in position. If they 
see him waiting for it, they will expect the 
pass." 

‘‘ That's right. Mack," said Bob, after a mo- 
ment's thought. Try it again, and, Fisher, 
time yourself so as to get in place just as 
Stone makes the pass." 

277 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Again the team walked through the play. 

Better/^ said Bob critically. Now stow 
that away in your heads and I’ll give you 
another. This is a variety of end run and 
pass. Signal is 71. Ball is passed to Fletcher 
as if for end run. Play is to the right. Fox 
crosses from left end behind opponent’s line 
to right end and Fletcher makes pass to him 
when he can. See ! Now try it. 

Of course,” Bob continued after the play 
had been run off, if you can get clear, 
Fletch, you don’t make the pass, but just 
keep on as if it were an ordinary end run.” 

Fletcher nodded. I’m just to use my 
own judgment, as I understand it.” 

Exactly. In fact,” Bob raised his voice, 
in nearly all plays employing the forward 
pass I shall expect the man with the ball to 
use his judgment. And your value to the 
team depends on how good that judg- 
ment is.” 

The work went busily on. One by one 
Bob unfolded the plays over which he and 
Macklin had been spending their evenings 
in the whole-hearted desire to leave no pos- 
278 


SECRET PRACTICE 


sibility unsearched for in the maze of the 
new rules. On the whole Bob was pleased by 
the way the plays worked out in practice, and 
by the keenness of the squad in becoming 
familiar with them. For an hour and a half 
he drove the men through signal practice 
until each man understood just where he 
should be and doing at a given time. Then 
he called for the scrub team and stood back 
anxiously to watch how his inventions would 
stand the test of actual play. 

For a time Baker contented himself with 
the plays they had been using every day. 
Then with the ball near the center of the 
field he barked out '' 17 — 8 — 81 — 9.” 

The team, recognizing the test, gathered 
itself. A ripple of concentration passed over 
the men. Fletcher sprang back into position. 
As he held out his hands Calder passed the 
ball. Pausing a moment to draw his oppo- 
nents toward him, Fletcher then started. The 
scrub had not been deceived by the play thus 
far and Fletcher saw his interference go down 
in a heap. Instantly he turned and shot the 
ball to Stone, who stood waiting, unguarded 
279 


A GRADUATE COACH 


by any opponent. The half-back made the 
catch cleanly, and as a belated scrub-man 
dove for him passed it over the heads of the 
struggling mass to where Fisher was standing. 

The strategy of the play was a complete 
success. Bob grinned with delight as he saw 
Fisher reach his position with the members 
of the scrub all drawn to the other side of 
the field. But though the strategy was a 
success the actual working of the play was 
not. Stone had ample time to make the pass 
but, misjudging both distance and direction, 
threw wild. Fisher made a frantic effort to 
reach the ball, but succeeded in touching it 
only with his finger-tips, and the ball rolled 
directly in the path of an opponent, who 
promptly fell on it. 

Bob stamped his foot in vexation at the 
spoiling of his hopes, but was satisfied with 
the play beyond his expectation. 

That will work against Essex,^’ he said to 
Macklin, if it is played perfectly.^^ 

By the end of the afternoon Bob^s knowl- 
edge of tactical possibilities was decidedly in- 
creased. Of six plays which he had evolved 
280 


SECRET PRACTICE 


for the humbling of Essex, two had been 
proved successful, one a possibility and three 
complete failures. 

We will have to work up some more,^^ he 
announced to the captain as they walked off 
the field. Get your gray matter working.^^ 

Macklin groaned. I have exhausted it,^^ 
he said. I stay awake at night trying to hit 
on something novel, but the idea always 
eludes me.” 

“ Same here,” admitted Bob. I dreamt a 
play the other night. It was a peach, too, 
but in the morning of course I couldn't re- 
capture it. I'm sure we would have beaten 
Essex with it.” 

Going to work to-night ? ” 

Yes. We had better. Come over to my 
rooms for a change. I think the others will 
be out.” 

How is the weight, Tom ? ” asked Mack- 
lin as in stepping into the dressing-rooms they 
found Benson just rubbing down. 

The latter made a grimace. “ Nothing do- 
ing. I'm holding my own, but that is about 
all.” 


281 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** ril have to get McLane to prescribe a 
special diet for you/' said Bob critically. 
“ How about it, McLane? " he added, turning 
to the trainer. Can’t you think up some 
special delicacies to put a few pounds on Ben- 
son?” 

What’s that? Why, yes, I guess so. I’ll 
give you something extra good every night 
this week. Remind me of it if I forget.” 

Benson grinned as he turned to the bench. 
** Some consolations in being over-trained after 
all, Foster,” he said. Did you hear that ? ” 
Lucky dog ! ” growled Foster. 

At nine o’clock Bob and Macklin were deep 
in football problems. Bob got out a set of 
checkers and maneuvered the pieces into dif- 
ferent positions, trying to obtain a combina- 
tion which bore the semblance of practical 
success. 

** How about that? ” asked Macklin shifting 
one of the men. He will cover the half 
while this man ” 

“ No, that won’t do,” broke in Bob. ** A 
fumble would leave a clear field for a touch- 
down. You must make these plays safe first 
282 


SECRET PRACTICE 


of all. We need that man to cover up mis- 
takes. See ? ” 

Macklin nodded reluctantly. 

'' Now/' continued Bob, “ if on the other 
hand you bring this man 'round, and move the 
end in we overcome that difficulty." 

“Yes, and you give an open path to Essex's 
left tackle," commented the captain. 

“ Bother I You're right." 

They were in the midst of this complex 
game when the silence of the house was broken 
by some one singing in a loud voice, 

“ She spanked him with a shingle 

“ I hope it is no visitor for this room," said 
Bob as he listened. 

“ Which made his trousers tingle — 

Because he slapped his little baby brother 

He went crying down the lane 

For it really gave him pain 

And a boy’s best friend is his mother ! ” 

The song ended with a crash, the door 
opened, and Kidder stuck his head in. 

“ Hello, peoples I " he said. “ A well-mean- 
283 


A GRADUATE COACH 

ing, but misguided relative of mine has just 
shipped me a barrel of oysters. It's up in my 
room now. I came to inquire if your high 
and mightynesses would condescend to join a 
democratic oyster party." 

Raw ? " 

Nope. Roast." 

“ Roast ? " 

" Yep ! Got a large fire in my room and 
some good flat stones. Sound good ? " 

Rather I " said Bob smacking his lips. 

Will you come? " 

Bob looked at Macklin interrogatively. 

I'll drop over for a minute, Tommy," said 
the captain. “ It wouldn't do for me to be 
seen late at one of your parties." 

^^I'll come though, and stay late, if the 
oysters are good," said Bob. My brain is 
fagged working on this stuff." 

Oysters are good for the brain," an- 
nounced Tommy. Eat a dozen and evolve 
a play. That's the ticket." 

All right. Dr. Kidder, I'm with you." 


284 


CHAPTER XIX 


4 - 26 - 81-9 

The dressing-rooms were deserted the next 
afternoon except for Jimmy, the rubber, who 
was laying out the football suits, which he had 
just taken from the drying room. Jimmy 
was whistling, for with all his cares he was in 
a good humor. The end of the season was in 
sight. Ten days more, two games, and his 
work would be over. Then he could rest un- 
til the track candidates needed him. 

‘‘ You seem gay, Jimmy,^^ said Benson, com- 
ing in and hanging up his coat preparatory to 
undressing. Some one left you a fortune ? 

“ No, Mr. Benson, returned Jimmy grin- 
ning. IPs just that the season is getting on. 
I’m sure weary of rubbing. Oh, if they was 
all as nice as you, Mr. Benson, it wouldn’t be 
bad, but some of the gentlemen do carry on 
scandalous when I get into their sore spots. 
It’s ‘ Confound you, Jimmy, be careful,’ most of 


A GRADUATE COACH 


the time with them/^ and Jimmy trotted 
off to the drying room for another armful of 
clothes. 

“ Hello^ Gregory I You’re down early too, 
are you ? ” 

Ames nodded a greeting as he came in. 

Yes ; I like to be on time,” he said. 

Benson smiled. In the hope that your 
principal won’t turn up, eh, and that you’ll 
get a chance ? ” he said quizzically. 

Ames flushed. 

Don’t get red over it,” went on Benson 
kindly. I have just the same idea myself. 
I am always hoping Foster will fade away 
somewhere, break a leg or something.” 

Do you really feel that way ? ” said Ames 
eagerly. “ And is it all right ? I have been 
ashamed of my feelings. Of course I want 
the team to win, and if Bob thinks Stone is 
better, I don’t really want anything to hap- 
pen, but I can’t help wishing it just would.” 

Benson laughed. You needn’t feel ashamed 
of those feelings. No man with red blood in 
him and a love of the game could be without 
them. You can rest assured that if positions 
286 


4-26-8 1 -g ” 


were reversed Stone or Foster would be harbor- 
ing exactly the same blood-thirsty senti- 
ments. 

Ames looked relieved. It’s too bad you 
can’t put on those extra fifteen pounds, Ben- 
son,” he said diffidently. I’d like to see 
you at left guard.” 

Thanks, Greg,” said Benson, touched by 
this unexpected good-fellowship. I certainly 
would like to see myself there. But I have 
no chance. We need the weight in the line. 
And in other ways Foster is just as good as I 
am.” 

I’m not so sure,” said Ames shaking his 
head. 

“ What do you know about it. Kid?” re- 
torted Benson banteringly. When did you 
set up for an expert ? ” 

Oh, I am not,” disclaimed the other 
quickly. But I think you are much 
quicker, and it doesn’t seem to me that we do 
need so much weight in the line. This new 
game is different. And then ” he hesi- 

tated. 

Go on,” encouraged Benson. 

287 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** I think yon fight harder/' blurted out 
Ames. 

Benson looked thoughtful for a moment. 
Then he smiled cheerfully. Oh, no. Joe is 
quite a fighter when he gets started. But you 
are not out of the running yet by a long shot, 
Gregory. Keep your spirits up, fight hard 
and you may win out yet. I hope you do. 
Hello, Stone, feeling fit ? " 

The half-back had appeared in the door- 
way, and Benson looking at him had an un- 
pleasant impression that he had overheard the 
conversation. 

However, Stone said nothing, and the other 
two having finished their dressing, went out 
on the field just as the main body of the squad 
came tumbling into the room, late for practice, 
as usual. 

Stone's eyes narrowed as he watched them 
leave the room. 

“ So," he muttered to himself sneeringly, so 
Messrs. Benson and Ames are out gunning for 
my position and Joe's. I'll just tell Joe that 
his good friend Benson will stand watching." 

He waited his opportunity, which came as 
288 


“ 4-26-8 1 -g 


the men were walking toward the training 
house after practice. 

Stone saw Foster ahead of him, and called 
to him. 

Oh, Joe I What’s the hurry ? Wait a 
minute.” 

What’s up?” 

“ Oh, nothing much. But I happened to 
overhear Ames and Benson discussing us. 
They seem to think we are poor players — that 
they would do much better in our places.” 

‘*No?” Foster’s voice expressed unbelief 
that any one was not satisfied with his playing. 

Fact, I assure you. They don’t know I 
overheard them, and I just thought I’d let you 
know, so you could keep your eyes open. I 
don’t want to insinuate anything against the 
authorities, but I’d hate to see you lose your 
place from favoritism.” 

“ Hm I ” grunted the guard. 

“ Of course I know Ames is running me a 
close race ” 

'' Close race I ” Foster was quite as indig- 
nant at the idea as Stone had hoped he would 
be. He isn’t in your class ! ” 

289 


A GRADUATE COACH 

Oh, yes, he is.” Stone was becomingly 
modest. “ And that’s why I am afraid of 
there being any favoritism. It might easily 
give Ames my place.” 

The rest of the team wouldn’t stand for 
anything of that sort.” 

“ They might have to. However, I only 
spoke to you about it because I thought you 
ought to know. You are closer to Macklin 
and Walters than I am, and can watch which 
way the wind blows to better advantage.” 

I’ll watch all right,” said Foster with de- 
termination, flattered at being appealed to by 
the brilliant player. And I’ll see that there 
is no underhand work.” 

Their conversation perforce came to an end 
at the training house, but Stone felt that his 
insinuations had fallen on fertile ground, and 
was satisfied that he had secured for himself 
one more anchor to windward in case of 
squalls. 

The team assembled in the dressing-rooms 
on Saturday afternoon in the best of spirits. 

Pentland was not a rival to be much feared, 
and the nervousness which was usually pres- 
290 


4-26-8 i-g ” 


ent had given place to serene cheerfulness and 
confidence of an easy victory, which* gave the 
room a gala appearance. 

Macklin, to whom the approach of a game 
was a signal for anxious forebodings, wore this 
day a clear countenance, and firm in the be- 
lief of the superiority of his men, felt that this 
day he could enjoy himself, and enjoy the 
game, free from care, as he had been accus- 
tomed to do before he assumed the duties of 
the captaincy. 

Bob was in close converse with Baker on 
the plan of battle, but from his casual air 
he seemed also to think the victory won, as 
indeed he did. 

Don^t use any of those 71 and 81 plays,” 
he cautioned the quarter-back. “ There is 
sure to be some one here from Essex, and 
we donT want to give them away. I don’t 
expect you will need them, anyway. The 
simple ones ought to gain enough ground. 
From all I hear Pentland isn’t very formidable 
this year. And they will hardly catch us 
napping as they did last time.” 

The team ran through its signals with zest, 
291 


A GRADUATE COACH 


and needed not the roar from the stands to 
fill its members with ambition. But the roar 
of cheers from the closely-packed students 
changed quickly to silent dismay when the 
game opened. 

Fletcher kicked off. It was a good kick, 
long, though a trifle low. The Pentland full- 
back caught it, swung in behind his interfer- 
ence, which formed with unusual swiftness, and 
was fifteen yards up the field before the first 
wearers of the white and black came within 
reaching distance. In quick succession Fox 
and Fisher were swept aside and left sprawl- 
ing. The phalanx kept on without the loss of 
a man. Macklin swept one interferer aside, but 
failed to reach the runner. Then, in a broken 
field of tacklers, the interference swerved to 
the right, fought its way by the rest of the 
Warrington team, and before the echo of the 
cheer which had greeted the kick-off had 
more than died away, the Pentland full-back, 
with two interferers, was bearing down at full 
speed on Fletcher, the only man in the way 
of a touch-down. 

Fletcher did his best, but the odds were too 
292 


‘‘ 4-26-81-g ” 


great. He plunged into the trio hoping to 
impede the runner if unsuccessful in tackling 
him. But the interferers smothered him, and 
the next moment the score-keeper was mark- 
ing up five points for Pentland. 

“ I'll be jiggered I " ejaculated Newton, who 
was sitting up in the stand among the stu- 
dents. 

“ That's the first time I have ever seen 
that happen against Warrington," volunteered 
Livingston. I don't see yet how it hap- 
pened." 

Team must be asleep," growled Newton. 
“ That was awful." 

Bob, on the side lines, was for a moment 
stupefied at the suddenness of the catastrophe. 
Then it struck him as rather a joke and he 
smiled grimly. It looks as though the team 
might have that try-out, after all," he thought. 
“ Pentland may solve the riddle for me this 
afternoon." 

The Warrington team, crazy with anger at 
the disgrace of the score, waited in sullen si- 
lence for the goal to be kicked, and then 
marched out to position. There was nothing 

293 


A GRADUATE COACH 


debonair in the bearing of the men now. 
With the score six to nothing against them, 
they were going to lose no time in evening 
matters up. The Pentland full-back was 
given no opportunity to repeat his perform- 
ance. Fisher got him on the twenty-five 
yard line, with a tackle which could be heard 
over the field. Warrington’s defense was im- 
pregnable, and Pentland kicked. 

Now ! Hard at ’em,” exhorted Macklin, 
and the team threw itself into the play, every 
man assured that the touch-down was a fiuke 
and that all they had to do was to sweep Pent- 
land off its feet. But in this they were mis- 
taken. The Pentland line did not yield an 
inch, and on a forward pass a Pentland end 
bobbed up serenely and took the ball out of 
Fox’s very grasp. 

We are going to get some strong medi- 
cine,” said Bob as he watched this fiasco. 
^^The men are up in the air.” 

The first period ended with no further 
score, both teams fighting fruitlessly near the 
center of the field. Half time saw no change, 
but Bob thought he had discovered the weak 
294 


‘‘ 4-26-8 i-g "" 

link, which prevented the plays from succeed- 
ing. 

“Could you tell what’s wrong?” asked 
Macklin wearily during the intermission. 

“ I think so,” returned the coach. “ Of 
course it is largely due to stage-fright. That 
quick score has taken the men’s confidence. 
But the reason so many of our plays fail to 
come off is Stone ! ” 

“ Stone ?” exclaimed Macklin. “Why, he 
has been doing yeoman work on the defense 
and made a couple of nice runs.” 

“ That may be so,” yielded Bob. “ But he 
is not playing up. He is saving himself. His 
work looks pretty on the defense, because he 
is making everything sure. He doesn’t go 
after the runner unless it is an easy chance. 
In other words, he is playing for his average. 
And he has missed three forward passes.” 

“Missed? That was Baker’s fault. He 
passed the ball wild each time.” 

“ Not so wild as Stone made it appear. He 
wouldn’t try for anything that wasn’t in his 
arms. We missed a good chance to score on 
one of the times.” 


295 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Are you sure ? 

** Sure I ” affirmed Bob. “ There could be 
no mistake about it.'^ 

“ What are you going to do ? ” 

. “ Warn him ; play him this next quarter, 
and if he doesn’t improve put in Ames,” said 
Bob with determination. 

Stone was a little scared at the way Bob 
hauled him over the coals, and began the third 
quarter with determination. But after miss- 
ing a hard tackle, he insensibly went back to 
his old style of spectacular gallery play, which 
drew applause from the grand stand with great 
regularity, but did not help his team much. 

Bob’s lips tightened as he saw Stone delib- 
erately shirk a head-on tackle for the second 
time. 

He turned on his heel, and beckoned to the 
row of substitutes. 

** Ames ! ” he called. 

Trembling with eagerness, Ames jumped 
from his seat, pulling off his sweater as he 
ran. 

Go in and take Stone’s place,” directed 
Bob, laying a hand on his shoulder. And 
296 


4-26-8 i-g ” 


remember I am sending you in to help win 
the game, not to show how good a player you 
are. Try for everything you have the slightest 
chance of reaching. Be reckless — but cau- 
tious. In short, use your head. Tell Baker if 
he does not get a score in this quarter to use 
71 and 81 in the last if he gets the chance. 
Now go ! ” 

Ames reported to the referee and touched 
Stone on the back. 

Walters has sent me in to take your place,” 
he said diffidently. 

What I ” growled Stone angrily, and looked 
daggers at his substitute. All right I ” he 
said ungraciously and stalked off the field. 

Look at that,” exclaimed Newton, jogging 
Livingston^s arm excitedly. Bob has sent 
Ames in in Stone's place.” 

He was not alone in noticing the substitu- 
tion and expressions of surprise and indigna- 
tion could be heard all through the students' 
section, mingled with the blast of cheering as 
Stone walked toward the gymnasium. 

This demonstration in Stone's favor was lost 
on Bob. He had no eyes but for the team, no 
297 


A GRADUATE COACH 


time to waste on questions of policy. He was 
fighting for a score, and he meant to have it, 
if his judgment told him to play a dozen sub- 
stitutes. 

For a time the change seemed to obtain no 
results. The seconds remaining in the third 
period were passing quickly, and Warrington 
was still unable to make any serious attack on 
the Pentland goal line. The men were still 
demoralized. The play was lifeless ; it lacked 
the dash and snap by which alone a score 
could be made. 

Bob watched Ames sharply, and was pleased 
to see him take his place in the machinery of 
the back field without causing the slightest 
hitch. The period ended before it was pos- 
sible to judge if the substitution was a suc- 
cessful move. 

During the short intermission Bob came 
in for much criticism. The crowd, relieved 
temporarily from the task of watching the 
game, was able to turn its entire attention on 
the coach, and took full ad vantage of the op- 
portunity. 

“ Why in the world do you suppose 
298 


“ 4-26-8 1 -g ’’ 


Walters took Stone out ? queried Alden to 
the men around him. 

^'So he’ll give his pet a chance to make 
the score, I suppose,” said another student. 
“ Mark my words, Walters is still working to 
give Ames the place.” 

“ I think you are undoubtedly right, but 
I question if Macklin will stand for that sort 
of work.” 

But there is an honest difference of 
opinion on the ability of the two men, isn’t 
there? I don’t think Bob Walters would 
let any outside influence tamper with the 
team. It would not be like him.” 

** No, he never has shown qualities of that 
kind. But you never can tell. He may 
have his price, after all.” 

** Well, let’s watch Ames this quarter and 
see how good he is. Walters may honestly 
think he is the better man.” 

“ And again he may not,” said Alden with 
disbelief. 

To the group in the grand stand, Ames’ 
play did not seem on a par with that of his 
predecessor. The fact that Warrington for 
299 


A GRADUATE COACH 


the first time in the game was able to make 
consistent gains, that the team seemed to be 
a unit instead of eleven parts, was put down 
to their recovery from the earlier panic and 
no credit was given to the new blood. 

Bob, however, anxiously pacing the side 
lines, knew better. He saw what the others 
missed — that Ames was always in position, 
the first to start at the snap of the ball, the 
first in place again after the ball was downed. 
His cool, methodical bearing was a steady- 
ing influence on the other backs, and Bob 
realized at last that he knew ” Ames was the 
better man for the place. As he came to this 
determination he threw a glance over his 
shoulder at the grand stand as though meas- 
uring strength with the body of students, who 
he was sure would bitterly resent such a 
move. 

The team will be loyal, at least,” he 
thought. Stone has not a very strong fol- 
lowing, and can hardly make trouble. Still, 
I wish I did not have to do it,” and Bob 
heaved a long sigh at the thought of the 
difficulties into which his sense of duty was 
300 


‘‘ 4-26-8 1 -g ’’ 


carrying him. The condition of affairs on 
the field was encouraging. Warrington, im- 
bued with this new spirit, had pushed the 
ball, by taking advantage of quick openings, 
to the twenty-yard line. The students were 
howling for a touch-down. 

Bob, who had followed along the side lines, 
saw Baker throw him a hesitating glance and 
then, as though reassured, give his signal : 
4 _ 26 — 81 — 9 .’^ 

That’s right,” thought Bob, and with nerv- 
ous intensity he watched the fate of his play. 

Fletcher dropped into position. As the 
ball was passed, the Pentland forwards 
charged through to block if possible the sup- 
posed try at goal. When they were almost 
on him, Fletcher tucked the ball under his 
arm and scooted for the end. Ames took a 
step, pretended to slip, and straightened up in 
time to take the pass. So far the trick had 
worked perfectly. One man dove for him, 
but Ames side-stepped and hurled the ball, 
with exact aim, to Fisher who, unguarded by 
an opponent, stepped coolly across the line 
with the ball. The play was a success I 
301 


A GRADUATE COACH 


The stands were changed on the instant 
from silence to uproar, and the Warrington 
cheer drowned all other sounds with its 
volume. 

That score was the turning point of the 
game. There were not many minutes left to 
play, but Baker threw his men against Pent- 
land with a rapidity and variety of attack 
which carried all before it, and before the 
referee’s whistle sent the crowd streaming 
homeward the score-keeper had added an- 
other six points to Warrington’s score. 

‘‘That 81 play worked to the queen’s 
taste, didn’t it. Bob?” said Macklin, as, 
breathing heavily, he escaped from the crowd 
and joined Walters on the steps of the gym- 
nasium. 

“ Couldn’t have been better,” agreed Bob 
with satisfaction. “ I am sorry we had to use 
it, though.” 

“ I wouldn’t worry about that,” said Mack- 
lin. “ It’s good enough to work even if they 
expect it. Especially since we have those 
variations.” 

“ By the way. Mack,” said Bob later when 
302 


4-26-8 i-g ” 


they were left to themselves, I have made 
up my mind about Ames and Stone/’ 

Macklin looked at him inquiringly. “ Ames 
played a nice game,” he admitted. 

Didn’t he ? ” atfirmed Bob eagerly. “ He 
steadied the team in a way Stone has never 
done. There is no longer any doubt in my 
mind. Ames should have the position.” 

Macklin frowned. Well,” he said, “ of 
course if you are sure he is the better ” 

I know he is the better man,” affirmed 
Bob gravely. 

All right, then,” agreed Macklin, after a 
pause. “ What you say goes I ” 


303 


CHAPTER XX 


trelawney’s car 

** Rat-a-tat-tat ! Anybody at home 

Come in I 

The door opened and the big frame of Tre- 
lawney appeared on the threshold. 

** All asleep in here ? 

Not quite/^ returned Bob somnolently 
from the divan where he was stretched out. 

Where did you spring from ? 

Nowhere. Just dropped in to see if you 
three wanted to take a ride. I have my car 
outside.^^ 

** That^s a good thought I said Bob sitting 
up with alacrity. “ How about it, you 
two ? 

I'm game," said Newton. “I was just be- 
ginning to think that it was a shame to waste 
an afternoon like this in sleeping." 

“ Will you come, Liv ? " asked Trelawney 
lowering his bulk slowly into a chair. 

304 


TRELAWNETS CAR 


** Yes, indeed. Glad of the chance.^^ 

“ All right. Get a wiggle on you. The 
afternoons are none too long nowadays.’^ 

The four friends, well gloved and coated, 
for the November air was chill, bundled them- 
selves into Trelawney^s waiting car and struck 
for the country. Through the city streets 
Trelawney proceeded with reasonable slowness, 
but once the outlying houses had given way to 
broad fields and shaded pastures he drove at 
a pace which quickly forced the others to hold 
on. 

Steady there I cautioned Newton from 
the back seat as a bump caused him to rise 
gracefully from his seat and renew contact 
with a thud. “These back seats aren^t as 
easy riding as the front ones.^^ 

“ This isn’t fast,” laughed Trelawney scorn- 
fully. “ I haven’t begun to let her out yet.” 

“ I don’t mind the speed, you old galoot,” 
retorted Newton, “ but for goodness sakes 
’ware bumps, or I’ll send you my dentist bill. 
You’ve shaken the upper row loose.” 

“ All right. I’ll be careful.” 

For the next hour the car droned across 

305 


A GRADUATE COACH 


country, up-hill and down, the sharp Novem- 
ber air driving the last remnant of weariness 
from Bob’s brain. 

Trelawney was choosing the less traveled 
roads and, twisting and turning, now on the 
crest of a barren hill, now in a wooded valley, 
soon had Bob’s sense of direction hopelessly 
mixed. Not that he wanted to know where 
he was. He was only too thankful to escape 
from the well-known surroundings, which at 
present meant so much worry, work and mis- 
representation. 

“ Close shave you people had with Pent- 
land,” volunteered Trelawney as he eased the 
car up a hill. “ I was afraid you were not 
going to win out.” 

Where were you, Trel ? I looked for you 
on the side lines.” 

Up in the grand stand,” said Trelawney, 
with a slight hesitancy which Bob either failed 
to notice, or put it down to the preoccupation 
of the driver. 

I am rather glad now that Pentland gave 
us such a fight,” remarked Bob after a mo- 
ment following out the train of thought started 
306 


TRELAWNErS CAR 


by his companion’s original remark. “ It 
cleared up some doubts in my mind.” 

^•'Such as?” 

Stone versus Ames.” 

Oh,” said Trelawney, his interest caught 
immediately. And what have you de- 
cided ? ” 

Ames gets it, I think.” 

** Really ! I am glad you were able to de- 
cide that way.” 

It was a close thing — a mighty hard point 
to decide. But as I see it, Ames saved the 
day for us yesterday.” 

It seemed to me that the team steadied 
down when he went in,” said Trelawney crit- 
ically. But I couldn’t be sure from where 
I was sitting.” 

By the way,” asked Bob inquisitively, 
“ that reminds me. What were you doing in 
the grand stand ? ” 

Trelawney bit his lip covertly. 

I went with a party,” he answered 
briefly. 

Who ? Was it pleasant ? ” 

“ Yes, very. Mr. Ames gave it.” 

307 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ Was Miss Ames along ? asked Bob with 
an exaggeratedly innocent air. 

“ Oh, yes,” said Trelawney, trying to appear 
unconcerned. 

“ I thought it would take a girl to keep 
you off the side lines, Trel,” said Bob teas- 
ingly. Is she pretty ? ” 

Yes, I think so. Haven't you met 
her?” 

“ No, never happened to have the chance.” 

“ How would you like to this afternoon ? ” 
First-rate. Why ? ” 

“ I thought we might stop in and see them. 
Mr. Ames lives about two miles from here.” 
Oh, I see ! ” remarked Bob. 

“ See what, smarty ? ” retorted Trelawney, 
with some asperity. 

That all roads lead to home ! ” was Bob's 
somewhat cryptic and distorted reply. 

‘‘ Go to the deuce.” Trelawney reddened. 
“ Would you care to stop in ? ” 

It was on the tip of Bob's tongue to give a 
careless assent when he bethought himself of 
possible complications in view of his over- 
night decision. 


308 


TRELAIVNErS CAR 


I^d like to, Trel,’' he said slowly. But 
I don^t think I had better.’' 

Why not, pray ? ” 

“ Because of all this talk about Ames. 
Particularly now that I have decided to give 
him the place.” 

“ Oh, nonsense.” Trelawney cut him short. 

No one would think twice about it.” He 
turned to the others. Asleep back there? ” 
he asked. How about stopping in at the 
Ames place ? ” 

“ Fine ! ” agreed Newton who was in the 
comfortable humor of being willing to accept 
any proposition presented to him. 

Livingston would like it, I know,” con- 
tinued Trelawney. There is a friend of his 
staying in the house.” 

See here,” said Bob indignantly, this 
looks like a put up job. I don’t see where 
Newton and I come in at all.” 

Oh, you can talk to Mr. Ames,” retorted 
Trelawney, and considering their destination 
settled, opened his throttle and shot the car 
forward. 

Down a long hill, up another and the big 

309 


A GRADUATE COACH 


colonial house, half-way up a gentle slope, set 
in a grove of wide branching trees, showed 
ahead. As Trelawney cleverly took the turn 
into the drive and they climbed the long 
slope. Bob saw many figures dotted over the 
lawn, and his feeling of impending catastro- 
phe deepened. However, he was in for it 
now, and trusting to his innocent motives, he 
determined to banish his fears. 

The car load was greeted enthusiastically. 
Bob, noticing the friendly warmth with 
which the daughter of the house treated 
Trelawney, and the charm of her person- 
ality, wondered no more that Trelawney was 
willing to forego his privileged seat on the 
side lines. 

Bob had, however, no cause to complain at 
his own greeting, for Miss Ames quickly 
made it evident that nothing was too good for 
the man who carried her brother’s destiny in 
his hands. Gregory himself, who was at 
home, showed that it was only his sense of 
the fitness of things that kept him frocQ 
monopolizing his guest. 

Here is the friend I was talking about a 
310 


TRELAJVNErS CAR 


while back/^ said Trelawney as a girlish figure 
came through a porch window. 

Miss Everitt, I declare/^ exclaimed Bob 
stepping forward eagerly. I haven’t seen 
you for months.” 

^*Not since you fell in the river, I think,” 
the girl answered laughing. 

That’s not fair I ” Bob protested shaking 
his head at her. You mustn’t rake up old 
stories I ” 

No, indeed, that’s not safe,” chimed in 
Trelawney. ” Bob has a good memory and a 
tongue in his head, you know. He might tell 
tales on you I ” Trelawney cocked an eye at 
Livingston. 

Miss Everitt blushed. 

Nonsense I ” she said. My record is 
clear.” But she nevertheless changed the 
subject with, ” Well, what are we going to 
do?” 

^^How about a joy ride?” suggested Tre- 
lawney eagerly. ” My car will hold the 
crowd.” 

Miss Everitt looked doubtfully at the sun. 

Have we time ? ” 


311 


A GRADUATE COACH 


'' Loads of it. The afternoon is young yet. 
Come on, everybody.^’ 

“ I won’t come,” said Gregory, as they 
piled in. There isn’t room.” 

Sure there is,” said Trelawney as he started 
his engine. “ Miss Ames, get in front, will you? ” 
May I sit at your feet ? ” asked Bob. 

Yes, that’s right. You four get in be- 
hind. Sit tight ! ” 

With much laughter and screaming the 
party got under way. 

Bob, leaning back against the dashboard, 
looked up at Miss Ames. “ Wonderful place 
you have here.” 

“ We think so. It’s the real country, too, 
even though we are so near the city.” 

“Near the city?” said Bob in surprise. 
“ Why, you are a long way out.” 

“ No, indeed. It’s only eight miles to 
father’s office.” 

“ Trel must have come a very roundabout 
way, then, and twisted me all up. I thought 
it was much further.” 

“ How is the team doing ? Are you satis- 
fied with it ? ” 


312 


TRELAWNErS CAR 


Oh, don't I " pleaded Bob. “ Don't make 
me talk shop. You don't know how tired I 
get of it. I hear nothing else all the week." 

But I am very much interested on account 
of Gregory," she replied smiling. And it is 
not every day I have a chance to get news 
from the fountainhead." 

Don't force him. Miss Ames," cautioned 
Trelawney, letting the car run easily along 
the broad road, and joining in the conversa- 
tion. You will find the fountain running 
dry very quickly if you do." 

Oh, but I must hear," persisted the girl. 
** Are we going to beat Essex ? " 

Time will tell," said Bob. 

Miss Ames made a face at him. ** You're 
very mean," she said. “ I don't think you 
are even polite." 

Bob, who was laughing, sobered instantly. 

It's impossible to say. We have a good 
chance, and if the luck breaks our way we 
should win quite handily." 

Essex hasn't done much this year," ob- 
jected Miss Ames. 

No, but they will be on edge for us. Any 

313 


A GRADUATE COACH 


team that has a Clark and a Ford on it is al- 
ways dangerous. You don’t forget them last 
year, do you ? ” 

Clark was quarter-back, wasn’t he ? ” 
hazarded Miss Ames. 

Good for you I ” This from Trelawney. 

I follow all the games I ” she retorted. 

Ford was the half-back who gave us so 
much trouble,” continued Bob. 

Yes, I remember.” 

“ And they are both playing this year, and 
are better than ever, from all accounts. So 
you see Warrington will have its hands 
full.” 

If Gregory makes the team,” the girl be- 
gan impulsively, and then seeing a change in 
Bob’s face, stopped in embarrassment. 

Don’t bribe the coach with those smiles,” 
said Trelawney. It isn’t fair.” 

“Pay more attention to your driving, Tre- 
lawney,” called Newton from the rear. “ You 
nearly had us in a ditch that time. Miss 
Ames, you are a dangerous side partner.” 

Chaffing each other thus, they sped along. 
From time to time, the long drawn wail of the 
3H 


TRELAJVNErS CAR 


horn drowned their merriment, as Trelawney 
sent his warning ahead to some wagon that 
was taking more than its share of the road, or 
group of pedestrians who were enjoying the 
crisp air. 

Why does every one you pass always look 
daggers at you? asked Miss Everitt of no one 
in particular. 

“ Possibly because they object to being well 
dusted,” said Livingston. 

We can't help the dust.” 

No. But human nature isn't always 
logical.” 

Whom are you waving to, Mr. Walters? 
And why do you look so cross about it ? ” 
asked Miss Ames, as she saw an expression of 
annoyance cross Bob's face. 

I'm not cross,” protested Bob. ** You mis- 
read me that time. Who do you think that 
was we passed? ” he added, trying to appear 
casual. 

Who?” 

'' Foster and Stone. Warrington's left guard 
and right half-back.” 

Stone I Why, he is Gregory's rival.” 

315 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Bob nodded. 

Oh, why didn^t you tell me ? I should 
have liked a good look at him.” 

“ I didn’t see them till we had passed.” 
What are they doing out here ? ” 

Oh, most of the men get out in the coun- 
try on Sunday if they can. We like them to 
do it. It freshens them up. They are not far 
from a station now, are they ? ” 

No : there is one iust round the next 
bend.” 

They are evidently making for that,” com- 
mented Bob. He looked at the sun. I 
think perhaps I had better be getting back 
too. Head for home, Trel I ” 

Oh, but you are going to stay for supper,” 
protested Miss Ames. Of course you are. 
All of you.” She included the occupants of 
the tonneau in the sweep of her hand. We 
expect you.” 

“Well ” said Bob doubtfully, but she 

would brook no denial and the coach, feeling 
that the fat was in the fire anyway, decided 
to enjoy himself while he could. Neverthe- 
less, he more than once relapsed into silence as 
316 


TRELAWNETS CAR 


his thoughts turned to Foster and Stone trudg- 
ing along in the dust of the automobile. 

As the big red touring car disappeared in a 
cloud of dust over the crest of the next rise, 
Stone turned to Foster with raised eyebrows. 

There go my chances of playing against 
Essex, he said dryly. 

“ What do you mean ? asked his com- 
panion who was still brushing the dust from 
his clothes. 

Didn^t you see who was in it? 

I saw Bob Walters. I couldn’t make out 
the others.” 

“ You must be blind. Trelawney was driv- 
ing.” 

Well?” 

And the girl in front was Miss Ames I ” 

** The deuce you say.” 

And in the rear was Gregory himself.” 

I didn’t know Bob knew them.” 

Neither did I. But he evidently does.” 

Probably spending the day out at the 
Ames place.” 

“ Exactly. With the whole Ames family 
bringing influence to bear what chance have 

317 


A GRADUATE COACH 


I ? Especially with the new laboratory hang- 
ing on his decision.’^ 

I don’t believe the Ameses would mention 
the matter, Jack.” 

Of course not. But there is such a thing 
as the silent treatment, you know. Old man 
Ames is an adept at it, they say. He’s a rich 
man.” 

What’s that got to do with silent treat- 
ment?” 

** In the financial world, the modern system 
is not to take your neighbor’s money brutally. 
You just will him to give it to you. That’s 
high finance.” Stone spoke with some bitter- 
ness. 

Well,” said Foster, it will be a con- 
founded outrage if your suspicions turn out 
correct. But I can’t believe it. I think you’ll 
find yourself back in the line-up to-morrow.” 

“ Supposing I am not ? ” 

What do you mean ? ” 

Well, in a case of rank favoritism like 
this, what ought I to do ? Just let myself be 
put off?” 

Foster took some time in replying. 

3«8 


TRELAWNErS CAR 


“ Perhaps you don^t think it would be an 
injustice to me,” said Stone in an injured tone. 
Yes, indeed I do,” Foster hastened to say. 

** Do the other men feel that way too ? ” 

I think so.” 

** Well, then, don^t you think I would have 
a right to protest? Or at least have my 
friends protest for me ? ” 

'‘Yes. It isn't a square deal.” Foster was 
becoming worked up. 

" Will you stand by me if I make a kick ? ” 

“ Yes, indeed. But on the other hand. 
Jack, a fuss now will ruin our chances against 
Essex.” 

" It won't be good for us, of course. And I 
won't make a kick if the rest of the team is 
satisfied. But if the men are going to be dis- 
gruntled, I think our better chance is to settle 
the matter at once. Bob may yield gracefully.” 

" That's true,” said Foster reflectively. " All 
right, I'll stand by you.” 

Stone smiled to himself, well pleased at 
having secured a defection in the ranks. 

" There is our train,” he said suddenly. 
" We'll have to run for it.” 

319 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Stone was busy with his thoughts on the 
way to town, and did not pursue the subject 
further. He thought he had said enough in 
that direction. But he made a point of drop- 
ping into Alden's rooms after supper. 

“ Hello, where have you been all day ? 
Alden asked. 

'' Foster and I took a walk in the country.'’ 
See anything of interest ? " 

“ Saw Bob Walters out automobiling," an- 
swered Stone casually. 

“ Whom was he with ? " 

It was Trelawney’s car, I think. I no- 
ticed Miss Ames and Gregory among others. 
They had been spending the day at the Ames 
place." 

Stone said this with an utter lack of ex- 
pression that made his underlying meaning 
stand out all the plainer. 

Alden gave an expressive whistle. 

I should have thought Walters had more 
tact, in view of the criticism he has been 
getting," he said scornfully. '' I wonder 
what the college will think of that I " 


320 


CHAPTER XXI 


THE SOEEHEADS 

Alden was SO much interested in knowing 
what the college would think of it that he 
lost no time the next morning in finding out. 

The more volatile men, and it was chiefiy 
among those that Alden pursued his search 
for knowledge, received the news with loud 
expressions of disgust, and demands for an 
investigation. The general concensus of 
opinion was that it looked suspicious, and 
that if Stone was replaced by Ames it could 
be due only to the purse strings of Mr. Ames 
and his insidious hospitality. However, the 
men would wait and see before taking action. 

Give him the benefit of the doubt, said 
one. He may have decided to play Stone 
after all. We will know this afternoon for 
certain.^^ 

The grand stand was unusually full of 
students, even for an afternoon in the last 
week of the season, and the spirit of unrest 

321 


A GRADUATE COACH 


which emanated from the student body pene- 
trated even the single minded absorption of 
the team. This was partly due to Foster, 
who had quietly canvassed the squad to learn 
if possible the preference of the men for the 
two rivals. Most of them seemed to think it 
was none of their business. 

I may have my personal opinion on the 
subject,'^ said Dolan bluntly, '‘but until Bob 
or Frank asks for it, I can’t see that I have 
any right to express it. I’ll accept for a side- 
partner any man they select. I have perfect 
faith in them both. Don’t go ’round stirring 
up trouble for nothing, this late in the season. 
We all want to beat Essex, and I’m willing to 
let Bob say which of us shall do it.” 

All the men were neither so loyal or level- 
headed, however, and Foster found several 
who expressed their opinion strongly in favor 
of Stone. 

Macklin looked round as he came on the 
field that afternoon, and turned to Bob. 

“ Your decision is going to make trouble. 
Bob,” he said. “ The college looks dis- 
satisfied.” 


322 


THE SOREHEADS 


I^m sorry, Mack,'' Bob said, looking nip at 
the stands. ** I am firmly convinced that 
Ames is the better man for this team. You 
know I think that, don't you. Mack ? " he 
added anxiously. You know I wouldn't 
let anything else bias my judgment?" 

Macklin's answer was instant and warm. 
Bob," he said, “ I haven't played on the 
same team with you all these years not to 
know you would be incapable of such a thing. 
If I didn't have that opinion of you, I 
wouldn't back you up now. Nevertheless we 
are going to have trouble I " 

I am sorry to get you in for it, anyway. 
Well, let's get to work." 

When the 'Varsity lined up for practice and 
the college saw Ames step into position at 
half-back, it groaned. The groans were not 
delivered in concert, but there could be no 
mistaking their presence. Bob fiushed, but 
paid no further attention. 

As the afternoon drew on, the opposition 
seemed to become better organized, for with 
malicious regularity the groans burst forth 
whenever Ames took the ball. 

323 


A GRADUATE COACH 

This hostile spirit naturally affected Ames* 
playing, and the practice became exceedingly 
ragged. Once Macklin in a white rage de- 
termined to order the stand cleared and the 
gates closed, but Bob interfered. 

Don*t do it. Mack,’* he advised earnestly. 

It will only make matters worse. We can’t 
down this fable by force. We must find some 
other way.” 

Macklin grumbled, but saw the force of the 
opinion, and acquiesced. 

Bob drove the team through its regular 
routine, and cut the practice short by not so 
much as a minute, although his ears were red 
with suppressed passion when he finally sent 
the squad to the gymnasium. 

Rather trying ? Eh, Mack ? ” he said 
grimly. 

The next afternoon the word had gone the 
rounds of the college that there was trouble in 
the team, and students, who usually were ob- 
livious to its existence, turned out in force to 
watch results. 

The ringleaders had invented a new form 
of disapproval. When Bob announced the 

324 


THE SOREHEADS 


line-up for the day and Ames took the con- 
tested position, the whole body of students 
rose from its seats and filed solemnly out of 
the grounds. Many joined in the movement 
who had no conception of what it meant, but 
left their seats because the others did. To the 
team, however, ignorant of this fact, it was 
even a more appalling expression of dissatis- 
faction than the groans of the previous day. 

Bob gritted his teeth and said nothing. 
Macklin gritted his and ordered the gates 
closed. 

We^ll have secret practice,^^ he announced. 

The college awoke the next morning to find 
itself decorated with large placards bearing 
the announcement 

Mass Meeting 
To-Night 
Big Quad. 

8 O^cloch 

Everybody turn out. 

The notices attracted great attention. All the 
morning groups of men could be seen stand- 
ing in front of them debating their meaning. 

3^5 


A GRADUATE COACH 


For no one seemed to know who was respon- 
sible or just what the meeting was for. 

Now, I wonder,*^ mused Kidder, as he 
read the poster, “just what is back of this. 
Do any of you know ? he asked the group 
around him. 

“ I have my suspicions,^^ volunteered one 
with a snicker. 

“ I’d rather deal in certainties,” retorted 
Kidder, half under his breath. “ And I think 
I’ll find out.” 

He pushed his way out of the crowd and 
could be seen the remainder of the morning, 
stopping a man here, whispering to another 
there. By lunch time the frown he had been 
wearing was replaced by a smile, and then he 
vanished from the scene. 

By eight o’clock that evening the Quad- 
rangle was filled with a good-sized crowd, 
which was constantly augmented, as men in 
knots of two and three drifted in from supper. 

The crowd at first seemed aimless. It 
drifted here and there in eddies. No one 
seemed to know just why he was there and no 
one appeared to take charge of the meeting. 
326 


THE SOREHEADS 


Bob and Macklin stood in a window over- 
looking the scene. They were both plainly 
worried. 

This is a regular revolution ! said Bob. 

Look out for your scalp. 

“ What in the world are they going to do ? 
said Macklin frankly puzzled. 

I suppose they will denounce me, and in- 
sist on Stoners reinstatement. There he goes 
now I Bob exclaimed. 

There was an outburst of cheering from the 
fringe of the crowd, which followed Stone 
and constantly increased in volume. 

“ He takes this mark of approval very mod- 
estly,^^ commented Bob, sarcastically. ** You 
would never suppose he had fomented this 
disturbance himself.^^ 

Do you think he has ? 

Undoubtedly he has had something to do 
with it. How much, I canT say.'^ 

“ Can you see who that is with him ? ” 
Foster, I think,^’ returned Bob, peering 
into the semi-gloom. 

“ Foster ? Is he disaffected too? By Jove, 
ril fire any man who disputes my authority,'' 

327 


A GRADUATE COACH 


exclaimed Macklin angrily. And I'll go 
down and tell 'em so ! " 

“ Steady, Mack." Bob caught him by the 
arm as he started for the stairs. Authority 
won't go to-night. They won't stand for 
it. We must use diplomacy and trust to 
fate." 

Cries of Stone ! Stone I " rose from the 
crowd, and as he mounted the steps leading 
into the small quadrangle, directly below 
where Walters was standing, the applause was 
deafening. 

‘‘ Hello, some one is going to make a 
speech," said Macklin. I’m going down." 

Come on then, but keep your temper. A 
victory over Essex depends upon how we 
manage this crisis to-night." 

They were immediately recognized as they 
reached the steps and a volley of groans greeted 
them. 

“Give us Stone ! " the crowd yelled. “ No 
favoritism here I ” 

“ Down with old money-bags ! ” 

“ Stone ! Stone ! " 

Foster and Stone at the further end of the 
328 


THE SOREHEADS 


steps were basking in the popular approval. 
Alden was waiting for a lull in the din to ad- 
dress the crowd. 

Suddenly a figure detached itself from a 
group in the corner and sprang up the steps. 
It was Benson. He turned and faced the 
crowd. 

His unexpected appearance stilled the cries 
and he seized the chance. 

I am ashamed of you I he shouted. 
“ Where is your college spirit ? Is this what 

you call standing by the team 

Good old Benson/^ murmured Bob. 

He's true blue. But he won't accomplish 
anything." 

Already the crowd was again getting out of 
hand. Benson could no longer make himself 
heard. Stone's name once more filled the air. 
Bob decided that he would face the mob and 
learn its pleasure. He turned to confer with 
Macklin. When he turned back every face 
was looking in the other direction. 

The mournful strains of the Dead March 
could be faintly heard. Then from under the 
great archway of the tower came a two- 

329 


A GRADUATE COACH 


wheeled cart drawn by a diminutive pony and 
flanked on either side by musicians. 

Standing erect in the cart was a strange 
figure. A sputtering torch afiixed to the 
dashboard threw an intermittent glare on a 
wizened face, white hair and a dilapidated 
frock coat. In his hand the man carried a 
pole to which was fastened a placard printed 
in large letters. 

Bob stared in amazement at the strange 
procession. For a moment he was at a loss to 
understand it. Then as the cart approached 
he was able to read the sign. 

Dr. Kidder^ s 
Komjplete Kure 
for 

Soreheads. 

A ripple of amusement started near the arch, 
increased in volume as it spread and broke in 
a wave of laughter at Bob's feet. 

“ Tommy Kidder ! " he exclaimed with 
thankfulness. Mack I The da}^ is saved." 

Kidder halted his donkey at the foot of the 
steps, and Bob saw that the cart was filled 

330 


THE SOREHEADS 


with small objects that looked like bottles. 
Two woebegone individuals, with large band- 
ages around their heads, trailed the tail-board. 

The crowd, all its animosity for the time 
being forgotten, crowded around, eager to be 
amused. 

Kidder mounted to the seat. 

“ Gentlemen,'^ he said, I have here a 
marvelous cure for the prevailing disease of 
the day. Soreheads ! A laugh greeted this 
as the shot went home. Will any one buy ? 
What, no buyers ! A penny the bottle. Step 
lively, gents. My supply is limited. Let 
me illustrate. James ! Kindly step forward. 
You see this well developed case. Very pain- 
ful. Makes the patient look very foolish. He 
doesn^t think it can be cured — but, gentle- 
men, that is because he lacks my medicine. 
Presto I one gulp, and the sorehead disap- 
pears.^^ 

Kidder whipped off the bandage and James 
retired. 

Who will have one ? Thank you kindly. 
And you ? And you ? '' Man after man 
entering into the spirit of the occasion stepped 

331 


A GRADUATE COACH 


up and received a bottle. The original pur- 
pose of the meeting seemed to be forgotten. 
Alden chafed in a corner. 

Now,” continued Kidder, there is one 
thing further. I warn you purchasers that 
the disease is very catching. It spreads 
rapidly. To protect yourselves fully help me 
sell every one present my complete, marvelous 
cure. What is it ? ” Kidder dropped his 
bantering tone and his voice rang out in deep 
earnestness. What is it ? It is called Con- 
fidence I Take a big dose of it to-night and 
we will yet beat Essex I ” He lifted a bottle to 
his mouth and blew a long blast. His ex- 
ample was immediately followed, and the 
blare of trumpets nearly blew Kidder from his 
seat. 

He held up his hand. “ Have you all got 
confidence ? ” he called. 

Yes I Yea, boy I ” 

“ Then give it to Captain Macklin and the 
team ! ” 

A burst of applause greeted the words. 

“ Hurrah for Macklin ! ” 

Three cheers for Walters I ” 

332 


THE SOREHEADS 


The team ! The team ! ” 

Bully for Tommy/' said Bob, who felt a 
load taken off his shoulders at the genuineness 
of the cheer. ‘‘ He has saved the day I " 

He looked 'round the crowd. Several men 
waved at him. Across the steps he caught 
Stone's eye. The half-back lifted a horn to 
his lips and blew a strong blast, smiling at 
Bob the while. 

He's a good loser," was Bob's inward 
comment. The thought made him search the 
corners for Foster. The guard was slinking 
off into the darkness. 

Bob's lip curled. I knew he was yellow 
somewhere. I hope he doesn't show it on 
Saturday ! " He turned toward his room. 
Tommy had met the crisis successfully. The 
revolt was crushed. 

After the turmoil of the week, Bob hailed 
the arrival of Saturday with relief, even 
though it brought with it the final test of his 
season's work. 

He spent the morning with the men, help- 
ing to keep their minds off the game during 
333 


A GRADUATE COACH 


the long hours which dragged so wearisomely 
toward midday. 

“It looks as though a storm was brewing/^ 
announced Fletcher as for the tenth time he 
walked to the window and studied the 
weather. 

“ For goodness sake, Fletch, get a new line 
of conversation,^^ said Dolan half irritably. 
“ You have worn that one threadbare.^^ 

Fletcher laughed. “ Sorry, Bill,^’ he re- 
turned. “ But I am not just talking. Fm 
really interested. If you had to do the kick- 
ing you would be too.^^ 

The day did look unpromising. A leaden 
canopy of clouds completely eclipsed the sun. 
There was little wind, but the thermometer 
showed forty degrees, and the air was damp. 

As they crossed the street to luncheon. Bob 
sniffed the air. “ Snow I he prophesied. 
“ We will be lucky if it holds off until after 
the game/^ 

The men picked at their food. No one had 
any appetite, and conversation lagged. No 
one made any pretense of being sorry when 
McLane moved to the door. 

334 


THE SOREHEADS 


** Better be getting down/^ he said quietly. 

The men straggled down the street in twos 
and threes. Here and there a knot of stu- 
dents wished them luck, or a street gamin 
ran alongside in shameless hero-worship. 

The first detachment of the immense crowd 
that would later fill the stands to overfiowing 
had begun to filter through the gates. The 
team hurried into its quarters. The men were 
in no mood for idle admiration at this time. 

Bob looked long at the sky. ** It is going 
to snow,^^ he said with conviction, as he 
watched the flags flapping lazily against their 
poles. 

He turned abruptly and entered the dress- 
ing-room. 

Jimmy I he called. 

“ Yes, cap.^' 

How many extra jerseys have you on 
hand ? 

Jimmy scratched his head. ** Mighty few,” 
he said. Not more’n three or four.” 

** Any trousers ? ” 

** Not a one I ” 

** We’ll have to get some, then.” 

335 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Bob turned to the telephone. 

Main 482. Is this Baird & Co. ? This is 
Robert Walters talking. Warrington coach. 
Yes. Send me out complete suits for the 
team. What? All right.'' Bob gave the 
names of the players to be provided for. 

You have their sizes," he added. Hurry it 
up now. I want them out inside of an hour." 
Bob hung up and resumed his watch of the 
weather. 

The stands were filling rapidly. In ac- 
knowledgment of the threatening conditions 
every one was well wrapped up and extra 
rugs hung from every masculine arm. A 
swollen stream of figures passed him con- 
stantly, threatening at any moment to flow 
over the frail iron fence which bordered the 
playing field. 

Bob looked at his watch. Time to get 
out," he thought. 

The squad of black-sweatered figures seemed 
unusually somber in the murky light, as Cap- 
tain Macklin led the way into the maelstrom 
of cheering. Even the orange of Essex seemed 
dingy. 


336 



LJE LOOKED ANXIOUSLY AT 
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iS * ic\. -stjl 




THE SOREHEADS 


The referee greeted the two captains and 
spun the fateful coin. 

** Heads ! called Clark. 

Tails it is/^ said the referee bending 
over the coin. “ What will you take, Mack- 
lin?^^ 

“ Wait a minute.’* Macklin ran over toward 
the side lines to where Bob was standing. 

** I won the toss,” he said hurriedly. “ Shall 
we take the wind ? ” 

Bob hesitated. If his forebodings were cor- 
rect it would be an advantage to have the 
storm at their backs during the last quarter. 
He looked anxiously at the flags. 

Look, Mack I ” he said. The wind was 
rising. There could be no doubt of it. The 
flags were flying free. Take the wind ! ” 
said Bob. 

The crowd waited for the commencement 
of hostilities with impatience. It was cold on 
the stands. Already flakes of snow, mixed 
with drops of rain, were falling. The wind 
began to come in great gusts. 

Pretty chilly I ” said Trelawney to his 
neighbor, Miss Ames. 

337 


A GRADUATE COACH 


“ Oh, no. I’m warm. It’s so exciting ! ” 
she said eagerly. 

“Glad Greg made the team?” he asked 
quizzically. 

“ Glad ? ” She threw a world of reproach 
into her voice. “ It’s the greatest thing that 
ever happened to the Ames family I ” 

“ Going to be a mean afternoon to sit out 
here,” volunteered Livingston, who with Miss 
Everitt made up their immediate party. Mr. 
Ames had been accommodated with a seat on 
the side lines. 

“ They’re off I ” yelled Trelawney. 

The ball under the impetus of a powerful 
kick sailed far into Warrington territory. 
Fletcher running forward caught it and in- 
stantly in obedience to orders drove it down 
the field. The wind seized upon it, and carry- 
ing it onward for many yards dropped it 
finally into Clark’s arms at his forty-yard line. 

“ First blood for Warrington ! ” chanted 
Trelawney at this profitable exchange of 
kicks. “ That’s the game with this wind.” 

Baker evidently thought so, for when Essex 
was forced to kick, which happened speedily, 

338 


THE SOREHEADS 


he called upon Fletcher at once. Essex lost 
another ten yards in the exchange. This 
proceeding was repeated three times, Essex 
not able and Warrington not caring to advance 
the ball in any other way. 

At last, on a short kick by the Essex full- 
back, the wearers of the white and black se- 
cured the ball in their opponent’s territory. 

Baker instantly changed his attack. 

He began by slipping Ames through a quick 
opening on tackle and followed it by a wide 
end run, Fletcher taking the ball. This did 
not succeed, but it served to open the Essex 
line, and Dolan found sufficient space between 
guard and center to squeeze through for a first 
down. 

“ Pretty fast attack we are showing,” com- 
mented Trelawney. 

It’s hard to score, though, under these 
new rules,” said Livingston. 

When did you set up to be an expert, Mr. 
Livingston ? ” asked Miss Ames. 

When you room with the coach it would 
be hard not to pick up some knowledge. Bob 
often airs his views to me.” 

339 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Warrington forced the ball by a varied at- 
tack to Essex's twenty-yard line, only to lose 
it on a forward pass. 

A kick put Essex out of danger, and the 
long march to the goal had to be begun all 
over again. 

But no time was left in which to score, even 
though the wind had now grown into a gale, 
and a punt would carry almost the length of 
the field. 

Time was called before Baker could get his 
machine started again. 

I don't like the look of things," said Tre- 
lawney, as the whistle blew. " We will have 
our hands full staving them off for the next 
two periods." 


340 


CHAPTER XXII 


THE TEST 

The sleet which had come with the rising 
wind toward the end of the period was quickly 
converting the field into a morass. The play- 
ers stood and shivered in the driving gale, 
waiting for the short intermission to pass. 

Whoever invented these rules must have 
overlooked the fact that we occasionally have 
bad weather in November,^’ said Macklin sar- 
castically as he hopped up and down trying to 
keep warm. I^m frozen.^^ 

When the game once more started, Warring- 
ton found playing in the teeth of the gale to be 
no child^s play. The sleet had thoroughly 
soaked the ground and now, changing to snow 
quickly, covered the field with half an inch of 
slush. The ball became wet and heavy. It 
was difficult to handle, and Baker found it 
impossible to make a forward pass with any 
certainty. 


341 


A GRADUATE COACH 


On the first interchange of punts Warring- 
ton was driven back to its ten-yard line, and 
found it impossible in the face of the wind to 
force the ball out of that dangerous territory. 

“ Did you ever see such a day ? growled 
Trelawney, as, huddled up close to the rest of 
the party, he tried to keep the snow from 
drifting down his neck. Keeping anywhere 
near dry ? ” he asked Miss Ames. 

“ No, not exactly. But it can^t be helped, 
she answered good-naturedly. Oh, do you 
think they are going to score ? ” 

Don^t see how they can help doing it,^' 
said Trelawney gloomily. They have the 
wind for two periods straight, and it is an im- 
possibility to punt against this wind. We 
canT score. That is certain. Our only hope 
is in keeping their score down until we get a 
chance at the wind.^' 

The odds were heavily in favor of Essex. 
Secure in the knowledge that Warrington 
could not possibly threaten his goal, Clark 
tried every trick at his command, hoping for 
a misplay by Warrington, which would give 
Essex a score. Each time the play failed. 

342 


THE TEST 


Warrington would try two rushes and then 
kick. 

Baker used his head and used only those 
plays which were sure, not trying to gain 
much ground, for that was impossible, but 
bending all his energies toward making the 
plays safe. “ Hold ^em, Warrington,^’ was his 
constant cry. 

The ball in this way hovered between the 
fifteen and five-yard lines. Once, on a for- 
ward pass. Ford had a clear field, but slipped 
and fell in the slime. The grand stand heaved 
a sigh of relief. 

Close shave, that ! ” said Trelawney who 
was neglecting Miss Ames outrageously, seldom 
taking his eyes off the field. She, however, did 
not notice his neglect. Her eyes were follow- 
ing every movement her brother made. 

Jove, but it must be cold down there,” said 
Livingston, as time was being taken out for 
some unfortunate who had had his wind 
knocked out. 

The condition of the players was indeed 
pitiable. Every play meant a descent into icy 
slush, and then a cold wait in the piercing 
343 


A GRADUATE COACH 


wind for the next signal. Hardly a man but 
was shivering and blue with the cold. 

Flesh and blood could not stand the strain. 
Some one made a mistake, and the Essex team, 
profiting by it, swept down to the very goal 
line. 

First down, and six inches to gain,’^ 
remarked Trelawney. It looks like a 
score.^^ 

Desperate, kneeling in the mud, their faces 
drawn with pain, the Warrington line awaited 
the attack. It came swiftly. Macklin, with 
a hoarse yell, threw himself forward, grabbed 
all the legs he could see, and bore with all his 
strength against the oncoming mass. With 
relief he heard the referee call the ball down, 
and picking himself up saw the oval still six 
inches from the coveted line. 

“ That’s the way, fellows,” he said trium- 
phantly. They can’t score on us. Keep at 
them I ” 

Clark tried a double pass — there was no 
room for one forward — but Fisher, ready for 
just such a maneuver, followed the ball un- 
erringly and threw the runner for a loss. 

344 


THE TEST 


Good boy, Fisher I ” said Macklin approv- 
ingly, picking him up, and from the stands 
came the long Warrington cheer, with Fisher’s 
name tacked on the end, rising even above 
the gale. 

Essex lined up for the supreme test, confi- 
dent of their power to send the ball across the 
line for the coveted touch-down. Warrington, 
desperate, crouched low, determined to ward off 
the attack. Clark selected a play on tackle. 
Macklin saw the runner coming and plunged 
to meet him. His foot slipped, his opponent 
hurled him aside and through the hole thus 
made, Ford came like a whirlwind. Just as 
he pierced the line, Ames met him. Met him 
with a low lunge, which stopped the orange 
striped figure in his tracks, and then, rein- 
forced by the other backs, hurled him to the 
ground. The referee crawled under the mass 
of men feeling for the ball. 

There was a moment of breathless suspense 
on field and stand. 

Suddenly Trelawney, who was peering 
through the thick flying flakes, saw Bob 
Walters hug himself. 

345 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** We’ve saved it,” he cried exultantly to 
Miss Ames. We held them for downs ! ” 
Isn’t that fine ? ” 

Bully work, Liv, eh ? ” 

Hello, time’s up ! ” said Livingston. I 
had not realized the period was so nearly 
over.” 

The two teams trotted off the field as best 
they could. Every joint was stiff with the 
cold, and their suits, soaked through and 
through, but added to their misery. The 
Warrington team was in the worst plight, and 
now Bob’s foresightedness was rewarded. 

He ordered the men to strip, and then he, 
the rubbers and all whom he could press into 
service, worked over the half-frozen men to 
restore the circulation. Most of them were 
shaking so that they had to be helped to shed 
their clothes. Bob wasted no ceremony. 
Where a lace remained obdurate, or a jersey 
refused to come off, he used a knife freely, 
and soon had the men ready to don the fresh 
clothes. 

Here, Ames, drink some of this hot soup.” 

The half-back tried to put it to his lips, but 

346 


THE TEST 


his hands were shaking so that he was unable 
to. 

Let me feed you,” said McLane, and 
held the cup, while Ames gulped the hot soup 
down. 

That^s good ! ” he said through his chat- 
tering teeth. 

The big stove was red hot with the fire 
Jimmy had built, but even its warmth could 
not overcome the chill which had penetrated 
to the very bones of the players. 

Foster stood close to it, the white hot plates 
within six inches of his bare back. But his 
big frame shook like an aspen leaf 

For goodness sakes, Foster,” said Bob, lay- 
ing his hand on the fiesh, you’re cooking I 
Don’t stand so near.” 

I’m c-c-cold,” said the guard. ** I don’t 
feel the heat. It has no bite.” 

Here, Jimmy ! ” called Bob. Get to 
work on Foster.” 

Jimmy pinched and pummeled Foster with- 
out mercy, but still he shivered. 

I don’t see how I can stand another 
period of that ! ” he said. I’m all in.” 

347 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** Sure you can/’ said Jimmy encouragingly. 

Just wait till I get this dry suit on you and 
you’ll feel fine.” 

To the spectators the intermission was all 
too long. 

“ It’s getting colder every minute,” growled 
Trelawney, as he held a rug up against 
the wind and pulled it close around Miss 
Ames. 

My feet are lumps of ice,” his companion 
volunteered, drumming her heels against the 
floor. '' I wish I could stand up.” 

Don’t,” warned Trelawney in alarm. 

We would get soaked in a minute. Do 
you want to go home ? ” 

“ No, indeed. Not for the world.” 

” You’re a good sport,” said Trelawney ad- 
miringly, as he watched many other couples, 
unable longer to withstand the weather, leav- 
ing the stand. Most girls would want to 
leave.” 

Most girls haven’t a brother playing,” she 
retorted. “ But I do wish they would begin 
again.” 

Warrington took up the burden of the 

348 


THE TEST 


unequal fight once more, with praiseworthy 
courage. 

Fletcher kicked ofi*. He put all his strength 
into the swing of his leg, but the ball, start- 
ing bravely, was met with the full force of the 
gale and traveled a bare twenty yards. 

Essex kicked at once, and the old fight re- 
commenced, Warrington fighting doggedly to 
last out the period, and Essex forcing, forcing 
the play intent on scoring. 

The field of play was now covered with a 
white blanket, except in the immediate vicin- 
ity of the teams. Underneath the snow was 
an inch of muddy slush, and when a man fell, 
he spouted water like a geyser. 

Hold 'em, Foster," grunted Baker, as an 
Essex back came sliding through center. 

I can't keep my feet," protested the guard. 

This is nice weather to make a man play in." 

In many respects the game was developing 
into a farce. Seldom was a tackier needed to 
bring a runner down. A change of direction 
was usually sufficient to send his heels up in 
the air. But always the attack crept closer to 
the Warrington goal. 

349 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Fumbles were frequent on both sides, and 
Warrington benefited thereby. Anything to 
give them possession of the ball. But three 
times in succession they took the ball away 
from Essex on the five-yard line on downs, 
each time to have Fletcher’s punt carry but a 
meager ten yards. The strain was terrific. 

Foster found it difficult to get to his feet 
after each play, and became more and more 
inclined to fall before he was touched. 

** Why don’t they call the game ? ” he mut- 
tered. This is asking too much of a man. 
The game isn’t worth this suffering I ” 

Brace up, Joe,” urged Owens at his side. 

Don't make us do all the work ! ” 

I’m tired I ” said Foster through his 
teeth. 

“ So are the rest of us,” snapped Owens. 

Play up.” 

I won’t ! ” retorted Foster peevishly. I 
want a rest.” And he made only a half- 
hearted effort to stop the next play that came 
his way. 

Owens was playing desperately, but unas- 
sisted could not hold the mass of weight that 

350 


THE TEST 


came at him. It was Essex’s ball — five yards 
nearer the goal. 

“ Play up, you quitter ! ” gasped Owens as 
he found his feet. I don’t care if you are 
tired. Be a man I ” 

Bob, wrapped in a blanket, stalked up and 
down the side lines. He too was shivering 
with the cold, but in his intense interest did 
not feel it. 

Foster is giving out,” he thought. “ They’ll 
have a touch-down through him soon. He is 
not working.” 

He hesitated, however, to put Benson in his 
place. The extra weight was worth a great 
deal on such a day and such a field, even 
though it was not backed by spirit. 

While he hesitated Warrington secured the 
ball on her two-yard line on downs. This 
had happened so often that Bob did not show 
the elation he would have earlier in the game. 
There is a limit to the response of emotion. 

Fletcher stepped back to punt. The pass 
was low. He stooped for the ball. The in- 
stant’s delay was his undoing. The Essex 
forwards were on him. He heard the ball 

351 


A GRADUATE COACH 


strike with a squashy thud against the breast 
of an opponent and was then buried in the 
mud by the rush of men. He climbed slowly 
to his feet, sick at heart. Essex had scored ! 

Clark spent much time in sighting the ball 
for a goal, and sent it over the cross-bar cleanly, 
despite its slippery condition. 

Essex had made six points, and the dis- 
couraged Warrington team was still facing the 
blast. 

*^Just wait till the next period,^^ growled 
Macklin at his opponent when the ball was 
once more threatening Warrington’s goal. 

When we get the wind we’ll smother you.” 

” We are going to smother you now I ” was 
the retort. Your line is easy ! ” 

We’ve got ’em on the run,” yelled Clark. 

They are putting in substitutes.” 

Benson came running out. Bob had hesi- 
tated no longer. 

** Go in,” he said. ** And play I ” 

Foster walked to the side lines. 

“ You had better run in to the gym,” ad- 
vised Bob. 

You bet I will. I have had quite enough 

352 


THE TEST 


of this. It^s fierce/^ and he walked slowly off 
through the storm. 

Bob gazed after him, scornfully. ** Yellow I 
he said, and turned his attention to the game. 

If we can only hold them now, we will 
tie and perhaps win,^^ he said hopefully. 
“ Time must be nearly up.^^ 

Into ’em hard, Benson,” said Owens as 
the substitute took Foster’s place. 

I’ll do my best I ” The guard hurled him- 
self into the play with vim. His opponent, 
noticing the difference in weight, treated 
the substitute at first with little respect, but 
quickly found out his mistake. 

Not only was Benson fresh, but he was 
filled with the spirit of victory, and though 
chilled from his long wait on the side lines, 
played with the abandon of a colt. 

** Good work ! ” muttered Owens after one 
play in which Benson out-generaled his op- 
ponent and stopped the runner for a loss. 
** It’s a relief to be playing next a live man 
for a change ! ” 

“Your brother is doing well,” said Liv- 
ingston, leaning across to Miss Ames. 

353 


A GRADUATE COACH 


Isn’t he fine ? ” she said proudly. 

“ He has been the backbone of the secondary 
defense,” asserted Trelawney. They haven’t 
made anything on his side. He is grit through 
and through. Not like some of the others.” 

Whom do you mean ? ” 

Trelawney mentioned Foster. 

That mountain of fiesh I ” he said. He 
gave out.” 

Oh I ” 

This exclamation was caused by Ford slip- 
ping round the end apparently bent on a 
touch-down. 

Ames came quickly though gingerly across, 
reached him in time, and both went down. 

Ames I Ames ! ” yelled the stand with 
what force it could. 

Bully for Gregory ! ” exclaimed Trelawney. 

Saved us that time, for sure.” 

“ Lucky, too,” said Livingston. Time is 
up ! ” 

During the short intermission the sole topic 
of conversation after the weather was whether 
Warrington could tie the score in the fifteen 
minutes remaining. Or was the team too ex- 
354 


THE TEST 


hausted from its heroic defense to take full 
advantage of the wind now that it was in its 
favor ? 

The moment Warrington secured the ball, 
Fletcher lifted a long punt down the field. 

Jove, that is a relief,^^ he said as he 
trotted down after the ball. That wind is 
great when it’s with you.” 

Bob on the side lines was gnawed with 
anxiety. He paced up and down, unmindful 
of the storm ; his blanket had slipped off un- 
noticed ; he gave but the curtest answers to 
any one who approached him ; his mind was 
busy with the play before him, and over and 
over in his brain turned the ceaseless question, 
” Has my judgment been good ? Have I given 
those plucky fellows out there the best chance 
to win ? Had I done this, had I done that, 
would not the team have been stronger ? ” 

Warrington, though now for the first time 
safely ensconced in her opponent’s territory, 
found scoring no easy problem. 

Baker tried the quick cross-buck which he 
had used so successfully all through the 
season, but now his backs could not keep 
355 


A GRADUATE COACH 


their feet. The slightest touch sent them 
sprawling, and to attempt a side step or any 
of the quick swerves which were so necessary 
to such a play meant immediate downfall. 
It was like trying to walk on ice. Cleats did 
no good. They but acted as rollers to increase 
the treacherousness of the footing. 

81— 9.’^ 

Baker had decided to resort to forward 
passes and trust to making one lucky shot. 

Fletcher started for the end and turned in 
his tracks, prepared to hurl the ball back to 
Ames. 

Kerplunk — splash I 

His feet slipped from under him, and he 
sat down heavily. 

Second down — twelve to gain,^' chanted 
the referee, spitting out a mouthful of mud 
that Fletcher’s sudden descent had hurled 
there. 

62 — 5 — 71 — 6.” Baker had mapped out 
his campaign, and was not to be discouraged. 

Fletcher raced for right end. As he gained 
position he tried to stop and make the pass to 
Fox, who had come quartering across the field. 

356 


THE TEST 


No use ! He slid wildly on and collided with 
the Essex end. Both went down in a heap. 
Third down, fourteen to gain.’^ 

Take it slower, Fletch,^* whispered Baker 
as they lined up. ** Same signal.” 

With the ball on his opponent’s ten-yard 
line. Baker had no alternative. Drop kick- 
ing was impossible. 

29 — 7 — 71 — 3 .” 

Bob nodded his approval as he heard the 
numbers snapped out. 

Fletcher profited by his former experience, 
and ran carefully toward the end. He han- 
dled the slimy ball with the greatest care, and 
at the proper moment hurled it into space. 

Fox, floundering in the mud, somehow ar- 
rived in time to reach it before it touched the 
ground. He steadied himself a moment to 
make sure he had a Arm grip on the slippery 
oval, found no opponent within touching dis- 
tance, and fell across the line for a touch- 
down. 

Bob heaved a sigh of relief, which was 
intensified when Fletcher kicked the goal. 
** Tied — at least I ” he said. ** Now, to win I ” 
357 


CHAPTER XXIII 


it’s all eight ” 

Essex kicked off wearily. The men were 
tired from their exertions, and the continued 
drive of sleet in their faces was beginning to 
tell on their mentality. The snap was miss- 
ing in their movements. 

Urged on by Clark, however, they contested 
each yard of the snow-covered field ; each 
yard, which turning black under foot in the 
struggle for possession, was immediately cov- 
ered with a pall of white, as Warrington 
pressed on toward the goal. 

To reach the ten-yard line was easy. To 
get further was a herculean feat. Baker tried 
every play in his list, but lost the ball on 
downs or fumbles with discouraging regu- 
larity. It was, he thought, only a question 
of time when a lucky chance must give War- 
rington a score, but there was grave danger of 
358 


^^irs ALL RIGHT** 


hearing the referee’s whistle before that chance 
came. 

Ames’ body was numb. From his feet to 
his eyebrows, his circulation seemed to have 
stopped. Every movement was agony, yet 
to stand still was to deliver himself to an 
attack of shivers which pierced to the mar- 
row. His body was numb, but his brain was 
alert. 

He missed no chance, overlooked no possi- 
bility of advancing the ball or checking Essex, 
and more than once, Mackliii turned a face 
gray with suffering toward him, to whisper 
a Well played, Greg ! ” through swollen 
lips. 

It was Essex’s ball. Dolan, in trying a 
quick plunge, had let the ball slip and the 
ever-watchful Clark secured it. Two plays, 
and Essex had to kick. The ball was close to 
the left side line. 

As the full-back dropped into position Ames 
moved back to his. 

If he kicks straight he may send it out of 
bounds,” he thought. “ If he avoids that by 
kicking across the field, the wind will curve 
359 


A GRADUATE COACH 


He made up his mind. I’ll take a 
chance,” he said, and ran to his right till he 
was opposite the end. 

Bob was at a loss to understand the maneu- 
ver, and barely refrained from calling angrily 
to the half-back to get in position. 

The ball was kicked. Fearful of going out 
of bounds, the Essex full-back drove the pig- 
skin diagonally across the field. 

Ames’ diagnosis proved true. The ball 
sailed true for perhaps ten yards. Then as its 
impetus lessened the wind caught it, deflected 
it, and in an ever-increasing curve drove it 
back and back till it fell in Ames’ arms near 
his right end. No one was near him. Twenty 
yards away was the goal line, and slipping, 
sliding at every step, causing the hearts of the 
thousands that watched to jump painfully, he 
carried the ball across, only to lose his footing 
as he did so and lunge heavily on his shoul- 
der. What did it matter? The game was 
won I 

“ There,” said Trelawney turning to the 
hero’s sister, you have a right to be proud 
of that lad. He’s a corker I ” 

360 


^^irs ALL RIGHT 


‘‘But that wa8 just luck/' protested Miss 
Ames, though she was on her feet cheering 
madly. 

“ No/' said Trelawney with conviction. 
“ He used his head. He was waiting for that 
ball ! " 

Down on the field twenty-two feeble men 
were giving each other a cheer. 

Their faces, covered with layers of gray 
mud, looked drawn and aged. They shook 
in their walk like old men, and McLane with 
anxious feelings hurried them as best he could 
to the dressing-rooms. 

“ It will be a wonder if some don't get 
pneumonia from this," he grumbled. “ The 
game should never have been played." 

“ We won, anyway I " said Bob joyfully. 
“ Macklin, you old graybeard, I’m proud of 
you." 

Macklin smiled feebly. “ I never want to 
go through that again I " he said. “ It was a 
nightmare." 

Bob helped him to the gymnasium. 

“ You deserve credit too, Bob. And lots of 
it. Ames won the game for us ! Not many 
361 


A GRADUATE COACH 


coaches would have insisted on playing him 
in the face of such opposition/^ 

Yes, Mack, but I knew I 
That's why you deserve credit. You did 
know I " 

Macklin sank wearily on a bench. 

Help me to undress. Bob," he said weakly. 

I'm all in ! " 

The college was so cold when it left the 
grand stand that remarks on the game were 
few and far between. Most of the men made 
straight for club-house or room and there 
ensconced in armchairs, with feet toasting 
on the hearth in the cheeriness of a wood-fire, 
the comments on the game and season began 
to thaw out. 

I was certainly proud of old Warrington 
to-day ! " volunteered Tommy Kidder from 
the depths of his chair. The team stood the 
gaff surprisingly well." 

Rather I I didn’t see a man weaken, ex- 
cept perhaps Foster. He seemed to mind the 
weather more than most." 

“ Didn’t have the backbone ! ’’ 

Why did Walters play him, then ? " 

362 


^^irs ALL RIGHT 


** It wasn't entirely Bob's fault," said Kid- 
der. I think he favored Benson, but Mack- 
lin stood out for the other." 

Benson certainly put up a fine game when 
he got in." 

“ Didn't he, though I " chorused the others 
appreciatively. Bucked up the whole line." 

We'd have done better if he had started 
the game." 

** If Walters preferred Benson he should 
have played him," said Alden, joining in the 
conversation from the edge of the circle. 

I don't think the college can have any 
criticism to make of Bob to-night I " asserted 
Kidder warmly. He stuck to his guns in 
the Stone matter, and he was right." 

“How do we know? " challenged Alden. 
“ Stone might have done a lot better than 
Ames did." 

“ If any one here could imagine a man play- 
ing a steadier game than Greg Ames did this 
afternoon there might be something in what 
you say, Alden," retorted Kidder. “But I 
don't think there is. How about it, fellows ? " 
He appealed to the crowd for support. 

363 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** You are right there, Tommy,” said one. 

Ames was as steady as a clock, and that 
counted to-day. Brilliancy could never have 
stood that gale. Walters’ choice was best. 
The college knows that to-night if it didn’t 
before. I’m only sorry we failed him last 
week. We owe him an apology.” 

“ I’m with you there,” said Kidder. How 
about it ? ” 

** What do you mean ? ” 

Let’s go up and give him a cheer.” 

That’s the ticket 1 Get the crowd.” 

** I’ll make the rounds of the clubs,” said 
Kidder eagerly. You rout out the dormi- 
tories. We’ll meet at the tower.” He 
snatched his overcoat and was off. 

By the trainer’s advice, advice which 
fitted well into their own inclinations, the 
men who had fought so valiantly gave up all 
idea of holding the customary dinner that 
evening in honor of breaking training. 

“ No rich food, boys ! ” McLane had said. 
** Just a light supper and then to bed. You’ll 
all be ill otherwise. Save your fun for an- 
other night.” 


364 


^‘irs ALL RIGHT” 


Macklin, deathly weary, still cold to his very 
marrow, acquiesced in this decision thank- 
fully, freeing him as it did from the necessity 
of sitting through a long dinner. 

Not for me I ” he said to Bob as he reached 
his room. ‘‘ Fm going to sit here and drink 
hot milk. That may get me warm once 
more.” 

Sounds good to me,” said Bob. ** I^m 
pretty cold myself. How about some milk 
toast? ” 

” Fine I ” 

The necessary ingredients were quickly se- 
cured and while Macklin toasted the bread 
before the fire. Bob got out the chafing-dish 
and made ready to heat the milk. 

That toast smells good,” said Bob sniffing 
the air. ” Hurry up. The milk’s almost 
ready.” 

“ Jove, that was a game,” mumbled Mack- 
lin reminiscently a few moments later, his 
mouth full of toast. “ I’m glad to have 
played in it, but I’m mighty glad it’s over ! ” 

It must have been fierce,” agreed Bob 
sympathetically. 


365 


A GRADUATE COACH 


** No joke about that. My, this tastes good. 
I never felt so cold in my life.” 

You looked like an old man after the 
game.” 

Did I ? Well, I felt like it. By the way. 
Bob, you were dead right about Greg. He 
played a corking game.” 

Didn't he, though ? ” 

He saved us lots of times ! I’m mighty 
glad you held out for him.” 

I wish I had held out for Benson too,” 
said Bob reflectively. 

Oh, I don’t know. Foster didn’t do half 
badly.” 

** He quit I ” said Bob tersely. 

** You’re too hard on him, Bob. He played 
well till he became exhausted.” 

“ Till he thought he was exhausted,” cor- 
rected Bob. 

** Isn’t that almost the same thing ? Aren’t 
you splitting hairs ? ” 

I don’t think I am. There’s a big differ- 
ence, to my way of thinking. I don’t mean 
Foster is out and out yellow. He isn’t — not 
by a long shot. But he has never learned to 
366 


<^irs ALL RIGHT 

punish himself. He quits when he gets good 
and tired. 

Don't we all ? " 

You didn't I You were doing twice the 
work Foster did, but I'll bet you never ad- 
mitted to yourself you were tired. It was 
something to fight against. With Foster it's 
something to look forward to as an excuse for 
stopping. You remember that afternoon in 
the woods, don't you ? " 

“ Yes," said Macklin refiectively, I begin 
to see what you mean. I never had any fear 
of Foster going stale from overwork. Some 
men you have to restrain." 

Exactly. Benson is of the latter type. I 
took Foster out because he was shirking. 
He was afraid of hurting himself." 

Benson certainly strengthened the line 
when he came in." 

“ Yes. By his spirit. Every one cheered 
up." 

I guess you're right, Bob," said Macklin 
as he sipped a glass of hot milk. “ However, 
we won, anyway. So it's all right." 

Bob sighed. 


367 


A GRADUATE COACH 


What’s the matter ? ” 

Even this victory hasn’t taken away the 
bad taste of that mass-meeting. Tommy 
saved us that night, but I can’t feel that the 
sentiment of the college really changed. 
They may still believe the old rumor, and I 
hate to leave Warrington with that sort of an 
impression.” 

Nonsense ! ” said Macklin heartily. The 
college is back of you to a man.” 

Bob smiled a little drearily. ** I wish I 
could think so,” he said. “ But that is some- 
thing I’ll probably never know.” 

He stared at the fire moodily in silence. 

Through the closed window came the sound 
of many voices breaking into the stillness of 
the room. A flickering light played on the 
frosted panes. 

Hello ! ” said Macklin. What’s up ? ” 

He strode over to the window and threw it 
open. 

“ Come here. Bob,” he said. 

The coach walked slowly over and looked 
out. 

The Quadrangle was packed with men,show- 

368 


ALL RIGHT 


ing black against the falling snow. Torches 
wavered here and there, keeping time to the 
music of the college hymn, and lighting the 
faces of the hundreds who stared up at the 
window. 

As they caught sight of Bob, a mighty 
cheer burst forth, rocketing from one end of 
the cro^d to the other. 

Walters I Walters I Warrington I 
Bob choked and turned away, unable to 
watch unmoved the wildly gesticulating crowd 
beneath him, whose every face showed confi- 
dence and affection. 

Walters ! Walters I Warrington I ” 
Macklin looked across at his friend and 
smiled. 

There,^' he said, is the answer to your 
question I 


Other Stories in this Series are : 
MAKING THE FRESHMAN TEAM 
A SOPHOMORE HALF-BACK 
A JUNIOR IN THE LINE 
A SENIOR QUARTER-BACK 


369 






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